Number Of Travelers:
8
Travel Duration:
11 days
Reason For Travel:
Multi Generational Family Vacation
The island’s beauty has been waxed lyrical over the years, fully earning the epithet “kalliste” (the most beautiful). Along with “Strogili”, this was one of the former names lent to the island over its troubled history–one full of battles and conquers, of a tragic eruption, and a blossoming renaissance, events that haven’t altered Santorini’s charm but that undoubtedly scarred it.
Together with the inhabited Therasia and five other smaller islands, Thera (Santorini’s Greek name) belongs to the namesake archipelago, which is the vestige of a volcanic caldera. Places of unspoiled nature and postcard-like views, the islands are reachable by boat and bear the original appeal of the old-fashioned Santorini.
The main island is split further into picturesque villages masterly painted in dazzling blue and white hues, outlining the holiday resort’s multi-faceted personality and its extraordinary variety of landscapes.
Trip Highlights:
Landmarks
- Isthmus Canal
- Ancient Olympia
- Temple of Zeus
- Temple of Hera
- Olympia
- Palaestra at Olympia
- Archaeological Museum of Olympia
- Olympia Village
Key Cities
- Oia
- Santorini
- Crete
- Athens
Crete, the largest island in Greece, is one of the most popular travel destinations of the Mediterranean. It’s an island with a thousand faces that combines everything a traveler might ask for: a rich history, several major attractions, a unique food culture, a vibrant nightlife, magnificent nature and pristine beaches.
On Crete flourished the first prehistoric civilization of note on European soil, that of the Minoan Bronze-Age, and its majestic palaces can still be visited today. In the long history of the island, a multitude of different cultures and conquerors have passed through, leaving behind important traces on the island. As a result, present-day Crete has a high level of historical, archaeological and cultural points of interest.
The heart of Crete beats in its cities: Chania, the Venice of the East, Renaissance Rethymno, cosmopolitan Heraklion and picturesque Agios Nikolaos, Sitia and Ierapetra. In addition museums and historical sites and buildings, you’ll find many shops selling local products, lively bars and cafés, as well as restaurants where you can try the both delicious and healthy Cretan cuisine.
At the same time, Crete stands out for its unique natural environment. On one hand, a seemingly endless and indented coastline offers countless beaches for each and every taste. At the other extreme, there is a spine of high mountains ideal for hiking and mountaineering. Gorges to wander through, caves to explore, valleys to admire, all waiting the visitor’s glance. In Crete, you’ll never fall short of things to do.
Athens’ heyday was around 400 years BC, that’s when most of the classical monuments were built. During the Byzantine and Turkish periods the city decayed into just an insignificant little village, only to become the capital of the newly-liberated Greece in 1833. Ahead of the 2004 Olympics, almost the entire infrastructure was transformed: the Metro, trams, new ring roads and viaducts have eased the pressure of heavy traffic.
Athens is still a rather messy and chaotic place — it wouldn’t be Athens otherwise — and despite all the improvements still retains a great deal of its original charm. The whole coastal stretch from Piraeus to the old Hellenikon airport has been improved with new plantings, viaducts and paths for walking. The Plaka district is becoming more and more popular and it is on the way to catching up with Psyrri, Gazi and Rouf when it comes to restaurants and cafes. Discover the beauties of the Anafiotika district, at the feet of the Acropolis, and visit the ancient village still housed in the midst of the city. In Exarchia, there is a somewhat in-your-face anarchic atmosphere around the Technical University. Meanwhile, Kolonaki is becoming more and more gentrified.
