Greek Islands for Solo Travelers: Crete & Santorini
9 daysΒ Β |Β Β 12 days with Rome extension
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Explore the best of the Greek Islands alongside fellow solo travelers.
In Greece, you donβt just visit ancient ruins. You step back into the world of Zeus and Athena. And dinner at a taverna is more than a daily activity. Itβs a chance to mix and mingle with friendly locals while practicing your Greek. (Yamas, which means cheers, will get you far!) As you hop from archaeological treasures in Athens to Crete and over to sunsets on Santorini, you and your group of like-minded solo travelers will find that the best sunset is the one enjoyed with a glass of assyrtiko in hand and new friends at the table. Not ready to leave? We wouldnβt want to, either. Experience the Italian art of dolce far nienteβthe sweetness of doing nothing. Take advantage of our two-day Rome extension and take your time over a frothy cappuccino.
Your tour package includes
- 7 nights in a private room at handpicked hotels
- 7 breakfasts
- 4 dinners with beer or wine
- 1 wine tasting
- 3 sightseeing tours
- Expert Tour Director & local guides
- Private deluxe motor coach
- 1 ferry transfer
- 2 on-tour flights
Included highlights
- Acropolis
- Parthenon
- Ruins of Knossos
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- Santorini wine tasting
- Oia village visit
- Akrotiri excavations
- Village of Pyrgos
Itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day
Board your overnight flight to Athens today.
Athens2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Athens
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Welcome to Greece! Settle into your hotel. Then, gather with your Tour Director and fellow solo group members. Youβll get to know each other at a mixer before enjoying a welcome dinner, served with beer or wine.Β Β
Reviews
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Brown Acropol
This cosmopolitan hotel is located in Athen's Omonia Square. Guests enjoy high-end rooms, rooftop restaurant with spectacular views and jacuzzis. Nearby you'll find the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, the Agora of...
Galaxy Hotel Iraklio
This luxe hotel is located in Heraklion on the island of Crete. Guests enjoy restaurants, the outdoor pool, and a spa. Nearby, youβll find Lions Square, Ammoudara Beach, and various shops and restaurants.
Mar 'n' Mar Crown Hotel and Suites
This sophisticated hotel is located in Kamari, a seaside village on Santorini. Guests enjoy an outdoor pool, views of the Aegean Sea, and a spa lounge. Nearby, youβll find Kamari Beach, a shopping center, and Ancient Thera.
Hotel Massimo D'Azeglio
This historic hotel is located in central Rome. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar and lounge, and fitness area. Nearby, youβll find the train station, Teatro dellβOpera di Roma, and the National Roman Museum.
Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and youβll get:
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
FAQ
- This tour visits Greece (and Italy on the tour extension). In order to enter these countries, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- We recommend having at least two blank passport pages for entry stamps.
- Beginning in 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders must register for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to enter many European countries.
- Passport holders from over 60 visa-exempt countries (including the U.S. and Canada) will need to apply for an ETIAS travel authorization in order to visit 30 European countries. That means that even if youβve previously traveled to any of these European countries without a visa, starting in 2025, youβll need to get ETIAS authorization to visit them again. If youβre traveling to multiple countries with this requirement, you only need to complete the form once. All Go Ahead travelers are responsible for obtaining their own ETIAS travel authorization before departure. For more details, please visit our Help Center.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination countryβs consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) youβll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code GI6.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Athens (or Rome on the tour extension).
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours.
- When you arrive in Athens, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you donβt see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a high physical activity-level tour. You can expect to be on the move on a regular basis throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a brisk-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often youβll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how youβll get from place to place. You can expect:
- One 1 night stays
- Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
- Most transportation by motor coach
- Some transportation by ferry and plane
- Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2-3 miles per day - this includes city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Stone and marble walkways may be slippery even when dry.
- Access to the Acropolis requires travelers to navigate a steep hill including uneven stairs with no railing.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour
Climate Considerations
- In the summer months (June-September), travelers can expect heatwaves with temperatures consistently above 90F.
- In July and August, Greece experiences Meltemi, or strong winds, which can make for rough ferry rides.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they canβt be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. Weβre here to help!
- This tour includes various modes of transportation, including ferry, flight, and private motor coach. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- A flight from Athens to Crete, as well as ferry rides between Crete and Santorini, and Santorini to Athens, are included in the price of your tour. (The tour extension also includes a flight from Athens to Rome.)
- All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
- The ferries you will be traveling in during your tour are large boats with airline-style seating. Boarding the ferry involves quickly walking up and down steep ramps, navigating crowds with other travelers and vehicles, while managing all of your luggage.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which include ferries and flights.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels, airports, and boarding ferries.
- Travelers need to be prepared to manage their own luggage during ferry transfers; this includes carrying your luggage up/down the boarding ramp, and managing crowded spaces with other people and motor vehicles.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- Travelers who experience motion sickness should take the proper precautions for the ferry crosssings.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel youβll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we canβt guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once theyβve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses canβt drop you off right out front. In these instances, youβll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- Greece operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
- Italy (on the tour extension) operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, F, or L plugs with two or three small, round pins.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you donβt miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center for more information or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- Please note that codeine (commonly found in headache medications) is banned in Greece, and you may face prosecution if you bring it into the country.
- Take proper care with sun exposure, as the sun can be especially strong in some of the regions on this tour.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- Travelers prone to seasickness should note that this tour includes boat rides.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) youβll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code GIT.
- This tour includes four dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water, coffee, and tea.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Greeceβs warm climate ensures a constant supply of fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables. Salads served with aromatic olive oil, feta cheese, and oregano are plentiful. Simple grilled fish and meat are integral to Greek cuisine, as are squid and octopus. Donβt miss the spinach and cheese pies, called spanakopita.
- On the tour extension, Roman food is typically freshly prepared and varies depending on the season. Must-try bites include cacio e pepe (a simple dish of pasta, cheese, and pepper) and supplΓ¬ (a fried rice ball similar to Sicilyβs arancini).
- For more authentic meals on the tour extension, try local trattorias, small restaurants set away from the main piazzas. A typical Italian meal includes wines and the occasional beer, followed by a few sips of after-dinner drinks like grappa or limoncello.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10-$12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use the euro on this tour.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although itβs worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
- To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
- Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each daysβ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- Greece is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 7 hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
- Italy, on the tour extension, is 1 hour ahead of GMT and 6 hours ahead of ET.
- When itβs noon in New York, itβs 7pm in Greece (and 6pm in Italy).
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, youβll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. Thatβs because our three core Responsible Travel commitmentsβprotecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfareβare at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such asβ―tippingβ―and negotiating in a market; learn about the destinationβs forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in theβ―local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.