Greek Island Hopper

Greek Island Hopper Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Athens, Greece. Arrive into Athens by 4 p.m. and transfer on your own to our hotel near the Plaka (fifty minutes by taxi).  Early this evening we meet in the hotel lobby for a group orientation followed by a short walking tour of the Plaka, the shopping district located in the oldest part of Athens. Dinner tonight is at a traditional Greek tavern serving delicious family-style meals. (You may want to leave the USA a day or two earlier so that you can enjoy more time in this fascinating city prior to leaving for the islands.) All meals included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 9, except lunch on Day 8).

• Day 2

  After breakfast, we enjoy a half day of sightseeing in the famous sites of Athens, including the Acropolis and the Parthenon. Lunch is by the port of Rafina, an area that specializes in delicious, fresh seafood. In the late afternoon, we travel by high-speed catamaran for about 2.5 hours to the island of Tinos. Here we transfer by taxi or private motor coach to our hotel overlooking the sea. There is free time to rest or explore until the group meets for dinner. Look for examples of the island’s famous “dovecotes,” which were built for pigeons but became works of art. Bus and walking tour of Athens: 3-4 hours.
  
  Tinos is known for the pilgrimage made to honor Poseidon when he freed the island from a scourge of snakes. The inhabitants built a temple to him and still honor it today.

• Day 3

  Today we’ll take in the sights of beautiful beaches, terraced vineyards and whitewashed houses. We depart by private motor coach or taxi (depending upon group size) to the village of Feletados. We hike to an overlook behind a monastery for stunning views of the Aegean Sea. Hiking on trails through small villages, we’ll stop to linger over Greek coffee and visit with the gracious locals. Then it’s on to the village of Volax, almost hidden in the middle of rounded, granite boulders, a geological phenomenon that sets it apart from the rest of Greece. Volax is noted for its traditional handmade woven baskets. A footpath winds down the valley to Agapi. We return to our hotel in the late afternoon, where we can use our free time to explore the seaside near our hotel, swim or relax by the pool.  Consider visiting Our Lady Church located near the port. The white marble church draws thousands of pilgrims to view the miracle-working icon. Tonight we have a chance to sample the local cuisine in a seaside tavern. Tinos is known for homemade cheeses, honey and local sausages. Walking/hiking: 4.5 hours; Driving: 2 hours.

• Day 4

  We transfer by ferry boat to Naxos Island (via Paros Island), the largest and most fertile of the Cyclades, where meadows open into immense beaches.  We arrive in Naxos around 1 p.m. and check into our traditional hotel in the village of Agia Anna.  This afternoon we enjoy a lovely hike that literally begins in the backyard of a local family’s home at the site of Kouros of Melanes statue. We follow the footpath to the picturesque village of Ano Potamia, enjoy a refreshing break at the village spring before continuing onto the Apano Kastro (Upper Castle) ... big views of Naxos town and the port. We finish our hike in the village Halki with a visit to a small distillery that produces Kitron, Naxos specialty liquor.  This hike nicely blends archaeological interests with modern day traditional Greek village life.  Hiking: 3 hours; Ferry from Tinos to Naxos: 3 hours; Driving time on Naxos: 1 hour.
  
  Naxos is the largest of the Cycladic Islands.  It is renowned for its natural beauty: meadows, vast beaches, fertile valleys, abundant springs and streams.  The island’s marble was once highly prized for sculpture and often exported.  Two “Kouroi,” or idealized figures of youths honoring the gods, were hewn from the rock and left unfinished on the island.

• Day 5

  We drive to the little chapel at Santa Marina, where we’ll start today’s hardy hike to the summit of Mt. Zeus (highest point in the Cyclades) for views worthy of the gods. The trail starts as a dirt path and becomes a stone walkway at the top. The panorama from the summit is breathtaking! We enjoy a picnic lunch near the chapel, adding to our appreciation of flavorful Greek food eaten beneath the gorgeous Mediterranean sky. Then we continue hiking along a road to the village of Filoti, second-largest town on Naxos.  We return to our hotel by taxi so we can devote the rest of the day to swimming or exploring. Hiking: 4-5 hours; Driving: 2 hours.

• Day 6

  Linger over breakfast at our hotel (Greece has the best yogurt in the world!) or walk along the beach before catching our ferry at noon to Santorini, the fairest of the Cyclades islands. We arrive around 3 p.m. and proceed to our hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free to admire the breathtaking view of the volcano and wander on your own. We meet in the evening for dinner. Ferry from Naxos to Santorini: 3 hours.
  
  Santorini is one of the best known of the Cyclades and differs from the other islands due to its geological morphology, the result of a now-dormant volcano. In 2000 B.C., an eruption submerged the central part of the island, and the thriving civilization was destroyed. A huge underwater crater, called a caldera, was left behind.

• Day 7

  Today we hike from our hotel in Fira to the picturesque village of Oia. Set high above the sea, our five-hour hike, which includes a picnic lunch stop, begins on a stone path that turns into a dirt footpath while following the edge of the caldera. The views are tremendous – don’t forget the camera! Late afternoon we arrive in Oia and, before transferring back to Fira, we explore its narrow passageways and quaint shops. The group meets for dinner at a tavern overlooking the volcano. Looking for a late night?  Santorini is definitely a fun night-time destination! Hiking: 5 hours.  

• Day 8

  Santorini has red, black and white sand beaches. Today is free for swimming at the black beach of Perissa (take your sandals, the sand can get hot) or for taking an optional excursion to the volcano. The climate and volcanic soil are perfect for growing grapes; you may wish to visit one of the wineries or the still-active archaeological site of Akrotiri. In the late afternoon, we transfer to the airport for a flight to Athens. Then it’s time for our own sunset as we transfer to our hotel, check in, and set out for a farewell dinner in the Plaka, ending our wonderful adventure to three of the most beautiful Greek Isles. Walking: 1-2 hours. (Lunch is on your own, if you chose to do one of the optional activities).

• Day 9

  After breakfast the trip concludes. Transfer on your own to the airport or continue your stay to explore more of Greece.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. The final hiking selection is left up to the trip leader due to weather and trail conditions.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted on the trip itinerary.  If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign you a roommate if one is available.  If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee which is one -half of the full single supplement.  Please be advised that there are a limited number of single accommodations available.  Often, single rooms are smaller than the double rooms.

All accommodations, meals as noted in the daily itinerary,  all transfers on the islands by private bus or tax,  half day sightseeing tour of Athens with entrance fees and a professional guide, experienced local guide, high speed boat and ferry tickets and airline ticket Santorini-Athens economy class.

Airfare to Athens Greece, airport transfers, 1 lunch, optional side trips, optional taxis, excess baggage charges, airport taxes, trip cancellation insurance, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks or snacks, laundry, tips to the guides and items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Moderate [3]. Trip members should be experienced walkers/hikers in good physical condition, capable of walking 2-4 hours a day on rocky trails with some steep sections. Days 3 and 5 have longer hikes, up to 5 hours. The trails are well maintained, but can have loose and/or sharp rocks.

The Cycladic Islands enjoy a Mediterranean climate, with average temperatures in the 70s. The winters are mild, and the summers—by Greek standards—are cool, due to the seasonal winds known as the "meltemia."

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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