ISLANDS & ANTIQUITIES

We can customize this itinerary to suit your travel profile!

Day 1: Poros
Poros is only 1.15 hour’s boat ride from Piraeus but a world away from the bustle of city life.  The island is green and blue — green with aromatic pine and eucalyptus trees in the interior and along the coast, and blue from a pristine sea with sandy beaches and sea sports activities.  Option for Greek Cooking Class – see Extras tab.

Day 2: Poros
If you spent yesterday at the beach, today you must partake in culture by strolling Poros harbor with its pastel 19th century mansions, visiting the weaving center, sipping cafe by the sea.   For active travelers, rent a bicycle and make a loop in stopping at the ruins of the Poseidon sanctuary.  Option for weaving class – see Extras tab.

Day 3: Hydra
A 30 minute boat ride from Poros to Hydra takes you to a thriving artists colony with upscale shops selling local art, jewelry, clothes. Not surprisingly, Hydra is a stylish and elegant island. Hydra lacks a good beach, but has a three hour hike up to the monastery.  This is a car-free, motorcycle-free island.

Day 4: Spetses
A 30 minute boat ride takes you from Hydra to adorable little Spetses, only 15 miles in circumference.  You can rent bikes to pedal the island’s entire perimeter. Half way round you can explore a sea cave where pirates used to hide out. Spetses is known for its almond sweets and fresh fish.

Day 5: Spetses
Beach day at Spetses.  The organized beaches offer umbrellas, lounge chairs, cafes and restaurants and places to change.  The secluded beaches are more adventuresome and romantic but have no amenities.  Definitely eat dinner at the fine fish tavernas on the old harbor.

Day 6:  Nafplio
A ten minute boat ride brings you to the mainland with a private vehicle transfer to Ancient Epidavros. Stand in the stage and those seated in the back row of this 15,000 capacity theatre can hear your whisper, such are the impeccable acoustics of this 3rd century BC landmark.  Option for private archaeology guide — see Extras tab.

Day 7:  Nafplio
Visit Ancient Mycenae and the multiple beehive tombs that never fail to startle visitors with their architecture of geometric precision.  Option for private archaeology guide — see Extras tab.  Spend the rest of the day exploring beautiful Nafplio, its artisan shops, the worry beads stores and be sure to climb the 999 steps to the 17th century Venetian fortress Palamidi.  Option for wine tasting – see Extras tab.

Day 8: departure
Morning — vehicle transfer from Nafplio to central Athens or Athens airport, approximately two hours.

There is no self-drive option for Islands & Antiquities.

TOUR DURATION  7 nights, 8 days, departure on morning of Day 8

START & END POINTS 
Start Point: Tour starts at Piraeus port embarking on a morning boat to Poros island
End Point: Tour ends in Nafplio with a transfer to central Athens or Athens airport.

BOOKING AGREEMENT Participants are required to sign our company Booking Agreement as a condition of the tour.

WAIVER  Participants are required to sign our company Waiver as a condition of the tour.

Travel Insurance  For U.S. citizens, we are official agents of Travel Guard travel insurance and can book your trip insurance or provide you a policy quote.

Airport transfer   A company driver transfers your party from Athens Airport to your Athens hotel.  170 euros per group for up to 8 passengers.

Athens hotel   We can book your pre- and post-tour accommodations in Athens with a choice of fine hotels we patronize in the Plaka or Psirri neighborhood.

Enhance your tour with these additional activities which we arrange for you with our local collaborators:

Greek Cooking Class on Poros island with Katerina, the remarkable chef of traditional island cuisine.   Learn prep tips and special recipes from this local master, and then eat the fruits of your labor.  100 euros per person for 2-3 persons,  80 euros per person for 4-6 persons.  70 euros per person for 7-8 persons.

Weaving Class on Poros with the only traditional weaver on the island, and perhaps in the Argo Saronic region.   Eleni has several looms and teaches you techniques traditional weavers still use as well as types of wool and yarn.  20 euros per person for one hour session.

Wine Tasting in Nafplio at a “cava” owned by a professional certified oenologist.  Focus is on the famous Nemean wines of the region, including the incomparable agioritiko, affectionaly known as “Blood of Hercules.”  Cost is 15 euros per person.  Includes tasting of 3 reds, 3 whites.  Rusks & cheeses served.  Tasting lasts 1 hour.

An indicative hotel for the Islands & Antiquities tour is Orloff Resort hotel in Spetses Island.

We select the accommodations based on quality, comfort, cleanliness, hospitality, location and charm. Most of the hotels on this tour are family owned and operated.

Hotels are included in the tour cost based on double occupancy. A single room entails an additional cost. Standard double rooms are provided but upgrade options are available.

All hotels are dependent on availability. In the event of no occupancy, we patronize comparable accommodations in the same location.

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Overnight destinations and points of interest

This tour is also available for groups of more than eight persons. You can take the tour with the itinerary as listed or we can customize the tour’s destinations and activities to suit your party.

A group of eight participants travel in a company vehicle with staff driver who also acts as your guide. A group of 10-16 participants travel in either two company vehicles with staff driver/guides or one mini-coach. Groups larger than 16 participants travel in coaches or mini-coaches, led by a company tour leader who handles all logistics.

We offer innovative tours to large groups attending a congress, conference or corporate event.

See more information on the Groups page.

Contact us directly for price quotes and itineraries for your party’s special stay in Greece.