Grand Tour of Greece: Athens, Corfu & Santorini

Board your overnight flight to Thessaloniki today.

Welcome to Greece! Get to know your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Set out on a guided tour of Thessaloniki, the second-largest city of the former Byzantine empire and a modern-day hub of Greek culture.

• Pass by the Hagios Demetrios, the storied church built in honor of the patron saint of Thessaloniki on the site where he was martyred in the fourth century AD.
• Marvel at the Hagia Sophia, one of Thessaloniki’s oldest churches.
• See the Roman-style city walls that were constructed during the early third century.
• Enter the Rotunda of Galerius (a.k.a. the Rotunda of St. George), which Roman Emperor Galerius commissioned in the fourth century in a style similar to Rome’s Pantheon.
• Examine murals and mosaics inside the UNESCO-listed Rotunda, which is one of Thessaloniki’s oldest surviving buildings.
• Walk along the seaside promenade to view the White Tower of Thessaloniki, one of the city’s central landmarks.
• Stop to try some local olives, a staple of Greek cuisine.
• Enjoy free time in the bustling and artsy Ladadika district, where the cobblestone streets are lined with tavernas and cafes.

Spend a free afternoon in Thessaloniki or add an excursion.

Today, travel to the remote village of Kalambaka, at the foot of the Pindus Mountains. Then, take a guided walking tour of the Meteora monasteries, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perched in isolation atop towering, sandstone cliffs, the six surviving monasteries date back to the 14th century, when they were established by Orthodox Christian hermit monks.

• Enter two monasteries, such as the Monastery of Roussanou, the Monastery of Agios Stefanos, or the Monastery of Varlaam.
• Hike up to the monasteries to admire views from 1,000-foot-high pinnacle rocks.
• Meet with local nuns for a chat about the traditions and faith of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
• Learn more about this branch of Christianity, the nuns’ lives, and the work they take part in at the monasteries.

Cross the Pindus Mountains and make your way to the seaside town of Igoumenitsa. Board a ferry bound for the Ionian Island of Corfu. In stark contrast to the arid, rocky Cyclades Islands in the Aegean Sea, the Ionians are known for their lush, green landscape.

After settling into your hotel, enjoy an included dinner this evening.

Start with a guided sightseeing tour of Corfu Town, the island’s capital.

• See the city’s Italian influence on display at the Spianada, arguably the most impressive square in Greece.
• Enter the Church of St. Spyridon, where you’ll uncover the sacred relics of the island’s patron saint.
• Visit the regal Achillion Palace, once the palatial summer residence of German Kaiser Wilhelm II.
• Stop for a tasting of marmalade, liqueur, and other products made from kumquats, a bright orange fruit with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status in Corfu.

Enjoy a free evening in Corfu or add an excursion.

Board a ferry back to the mainland from Corfu. Then, travel to the Delphi region, home of the legendary mystical oracle.

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Journey to the slopes of Mount Parnassus and visit the Archaeological Site of Delphi. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Delphi was believed by ancient Greeks to be the Navel of the Earth and a spiritual focal point for all Greeks.

• Embark on a guided tour featuring the Temple of Apollo, where, according to legend, the god Apollo once spoke in prophecy to mortals through the voice of the oracle and high priestess Pythia.
• Take time to explore the ancient treasures at the Delphi Museum, including the life-size bronze statue named the Charioteer of Delphi.
• Visit Arachova and soak in the breathtaking mountain landscape as you stroll through the mountain town’s cobblestone streets.
• Enjoy free time for lunch or to explore the charming village and admire its many Byzantine-era churches.

Then, continue on to Athens and enjoy a free evening in the city.

Meet up with a local guide for an introduction to the highlights of this bustling ancient capital, home to the world’s first democracy.

• Pass by the Olympic Stadium, Syntagma Square, and the Arch of Hadrian.
• View the sixth-century Temple of Zeus.
• See the classically inspired Old Royal Palace, home of the Hellenic Parliament, and drive through the Plaka district.
• Set off on a walking tour around the ancient Acropolis, site of the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Athens or add an excursion.

Take a ferry across the Aegean Sea to Santorini, a popular vacation destination in the Cyclades Islands. Then, enjoy free time to discover the island’s charming culture, rugged, volcanic landscapes, and cliffside villages.

Please note: For an additional cost, you can book a visit to the village of Oia through your Tour Director.

Take in the local sights on a guided tour of Santorini, a volcanic isle known for its black-sand beaches, cliff-lined shores, and stunning whitewashed architecture.

• Visit the prehistoric settlements that were unearthed during the archaeological excavations at Akrotiri.
• Ride to the top of Mount Profitis Ilias for panoramic views of the whole island.
• Stop in small, picturesque Pyrgos, a well-preserved medieval village that’s situated on the island’s highest point and latticed with steep, cobblestone alleys.

Spend a free evening in Santorini or add an excursion.

Take a ferry to Greece’s largest island, Crete, which is known for its varied landscapes (beaches, mountains, valleys, and gorges) and gastronomy.

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Join a local guide this morning and get to know Heraklion, a bustling port city and the capital of Crete.

• Visit the ruins of Knossos Palace, where, according to myth, King Minos imprisoned the Minotaur.
• Enter the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, widely celebrated for its collection of artworks and artifacts from the Minoans—the Bronze Age civilization of Crete.

Enjoy a free afternoon in Crete or add an excursion.

Spend a free day on Crete or add an excursion.

Fly back to Athens today. Then, celebrate your trip with your fellow group members at a farewell dinner this evening.

Transfer to airport for your flight home, or continue on to visit Olympia and the Athens Riviera.