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The Greek Islands: Mykonos, Santorini & Crete

with Athens extension

Duration: 14 or 16 days
Group size: 15-30
Reviews: 244

Take in the rich culture and history of Greece’s storied islands.

It’s nearly impossible to get a true taste of Greek culture without sampling its flavorful isles. Experience the relaxed lifestyle and vibrant locals that color all the islands, discovering the character and history unique to each locale. Absorb Hellenic heritage in ancient Athens before soaking in Crete’s legendary landscapes. Cruise on the Aegean to the volcanic shores of Santorini and anchor on the beaches of lively Mykonos.

Your tour package includes

12 nights in handpicked hotels
12 breakfasts
5 dinners with beer or wine
3 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Acropolis
Parthenon
windmills in Mykonos Town
Akrotiri excavations
village of Pyrgos

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Athens today.

Athens3 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Athens

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Greece! Meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner tonight.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Athens

Included meal: Breakfast

A local guide introduces you 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.

Cape Sounion

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 4: Free day in Athens

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day in Athens or add an excursion.

Delphi

Excursion (additional cost)

Mykonos3 nights

Day 5: Transfer to Mykonos

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel by ferry to Mykonos, and follow your Tour Director on an orientation of Mykonos Town when you arrive.

• See the iconic windmills in Mykonos Town, built as early as the 16th century

• View Little Venice, the charming neighborhood right along the Aegean Sea

• Pass the Church of Panagia Paraportiani and admire its unique architecture

Later, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 6: Free day in Mykonos

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day in Mykonos soaking up the sun and unique island culture, or add an excursion.

Mykonos Cooking Demonstration & Lunch

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 7: Free day in Mykonos

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy another day exploring Mykonos at your leisure or add an excursion.

Delos

Excursion (additional cost)

Santorini3 nights

Day 8: Transfer to Santorini

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Take a ferry to Santorini, then enjoy free time to discover the island’s volcanic black-sand beaches, cliff-lined shores, and stunning whitewashed architecture.

Sit down to an included dinner with your group this evening.

Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Santorini

Included meal: Breakfast

Today, take in the local sights on a guided tour of Santorini.

• 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 the small, picturesque village of Pyrgos

Enjoy a free evening in Santorini or add an excursion.

Santorini Caldera Cruise & Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 10: Free day in Santorini

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day in Santorini or add an excursion.

Greek Wine Tasting & Lunch

Excursion (additional cost)

Crete2 nights

Day 11: Transfer to Crete

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

This afternoon, take a ferry to Crete, the largest of the Greek islands.

Later, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 12: Free day in Crete

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a full free day in Crete or add an excursion.

Chania

Excursion (additional cost)

Athens1 night

Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Heraklion & transfer to Athens

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Before returning to Athens, enjoy a guided tour of Heraklion.

• Visit the ruins of Knossos, where King Minos imprisoned the Minotaur in a labyrinth, according to the myth

• See the Heraklion Archaeological Museum

This afternoon, fly to Athens to say goodbye to your group at a farewell dinner.

Flight Home

Day 14: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to continue exploring Athens.

Extension to Athens

Extend your adventure in Athens, an ancient capital where awe-inspiring history mingles with the present day.

Athens2 nights

Day 14: Free day in Athens

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Athens or add an excursion.

Athens Home-Hosted Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 15: Free day in Athens

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy another free day in Athens or add an excursion.

Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers to enjoy a farewell drink.

Corinth Canal, Epidaurus & Mycenae

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 16: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

244

4.7 average

05/14/2019 by 2nd time traveler Deirdre T.

I found the tour interesting and good The beds in the hotel were not comfortable Raquel are tour guide very well organized Knew her stuff I have recommended this tour to my friends and family

Beautiful islands

05/14/2019 by 2nd time traveler Linda G.

I enjoyed the tour, especially Santorini. The ferry rides were quite an adventure! One suggestion would be to add the driver and local guide tips to the price of the tour/excursion. Almost every day we were asked to cough up correct change for tips. It wasn’t a lot of money, but it was inconveni...

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Wonderful In-country Tour Director

05/14/2019 by 2nd time traveler Gloria R.

I was disappointed in the lack of help we got from Go Ahead when our flight was delayed out of St. Louis which caused us to miss the 2 connecting flights. We were on our own to deal with the airlines and reconstruct our flight itinerary. Next time I will book my own flights. Three legs was too much ...

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Greece through the eyes of a local!

05/03/2019 by 3rd time traveler Jo B.

This tour exceeded my expectations, largely due to the efforts of our tour director, Alexandra. She was amazing! Great attention to detail, concern for every traveler in our group, unfailing cheerfulness and great time management made our tour run very smoothly. But her best contributions were th...

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Most Excellent!

05/13/2019 by 2nd time traveler Greg O.

Just a wonderful tour! The pace was excellent, the Airport transfers went smoothly and the ground transportation a most pleasant experience at every location! The meet and greet, orientation briefing and welcome dinner was excellent! We got a little late start, and it became a late night. Pe...

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Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

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.

Saint George Lycabettus Hotel

This boutique hotel is located in the Kolonaki neighborhood in central Athens. Guests enjoy a screening room, rooftop pool, and spa. Nearby, you’ll fi...

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San Antonio Summerland

This seaside hotel is located in Mykonos Town. Guests enjoy individually controlled air conditioning, free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you'll find the windmills, M...

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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 package and you'll 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

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Greece, 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.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens traveling to Greece.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 1.5 hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with steep hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of ferries.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Athens. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Ferry rides between Athens and Mykonos, Mykonos and Santorini, and Santorini and Crete, as well as a flight from Heraklion to Athens, are included in the price of your tour.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include ferries or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
Please note that you may need to handle your own baggage during ferry transfers.

Clothing & packing tips

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).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website atcdc.gov.
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.
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.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in too your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Greece’s 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 well as squid and octopus. Don't miss the spinach and cheese pies, called_spanakopita_.

Electricity & air conditioning

Greece operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and uses Types C, E, or F plugs with two small, round pins.
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.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Your hotel may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Greece is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and seven hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 7pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on this tour.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s 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.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
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.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s 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 $7USD to $10USD 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.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

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104 Departures

Tour prices are per person, before flights from your departure city, and based on two travelers per hotel room. Tour prices include on-tour flights where applicable.