Walk and Cruise - The Greek Islands




	Includes:		12 days, 11 nights, 7 dinners with wine, 4 lunches, 11 breakfasts, wine tasting, visits to National Archeological Museum and Akrotíri, and ferry transfer to Tinos on day 3.

	Highlights:		Athens, Akrotíri, and 6 days cruising among Greece's Cyclades Islands

	What to Expect:		Hilly terrain over rocky footpaths. Sturdy shoes or hiking boots recommended.

	Begin/End:		Athens/Tinos

	Arrive/Depart:		Athens

	Walk Distance:		3-4 hours most days

	Single Supplement:		$750

	Bottom Line:		2004: Call

Tour Description:

Legendary both in their mystique and their beauty, the Greek Islands have lured travelers for centuries. With good reason. From historical ruins to whitewashed villages overlooking the sea, the islands of the Aegean present a picture postcard view at every turn. They also offer some of the best walking in Mediterranean Europe. Sail with us aboard a 110' wooden-hulled yacht as we retrace the footsteps of Homer and Apollo, discover what many believe to be the ancient 'lost city' of Atlantis, and explore the timeless hill towns of these beautiful islands. (Please note that seasonal weather conditions can create the occasional need to modify our itinerary while at sea. Your captain will inform you of any such changes while you are on tour.)

Meet this afternoon at our hotel in Athens where we will gather for introductions and a glass of Greek ouzo. We'll kick the tour off officially this evening with dinner together at a nearby taverna.

Day 2

We enjoy a bird's eye view of Athens and the Acropolis this morning as we climb the hills surrounding the city. After a visit to the ancient agora together, you are free to visit Plaka (Athens famous bazaar) and to explore more of the area. Take time to visit the Acropolis on your own this afternoon. Today's walk: ~3 hours.

Day 3

We walk to the National Archeological Museum, one of the world's finest collections of classical antiquities, this morning. We'll explore the museum, then it is off by high-speed catamaran to the island of Tinos, where we'll spend the next two nights. Dinner together. Today's walk: ~3 hours.

Day 4

Our walk this morning takes us to the church of Panayia Evangelistra, the most famous pilgrimage site in the country for Greek Orthodox. From there, we continue on foot for a beautiful walk to the heart of the island. After lunch together in a country taverna, we'll visit a small family winery for a tour and tasting. Dinner on your own in Tinos town tonight. Today's walk: 3-4 hours; shorter options are also available.

Day 5

After breakfast we shuttle to the center of the island to explore the famous Venetian dovecotes of Tinos. Then it is on to Pyrgos, known for its marble carvers, where we'll visit the village - enjoy a Greek coffee in the platia (main square) if you wish - before walking down the valley to the sea at Pánormos. After lunch together in a seaside taverna, you can choose between walking back to Tinos town from the nearby hills or shuttling back in our van. Once in town, the group will re-assemble and board our yacht, where we'll spend the next 7 nights. Today's walk: 2 hours.

Day 6

We sail early this morning for Ios, legendary birthplace of the poet Homer. Once there, we'll take a short walk and then you'll have time to explore the village. Lunch together this afternoon; dinner on your own this evening. Today's walk: 1-3 hours.

Day 7

We sail early again today to the island of Santorini, considered by many scholars to be the famed Atlantis. Once there, we'll shuttle to the ruins at Akrotíri, whose discovery in the 1960s has been compared to King Tut's tomb in terms of archeological significance! We'll also visit the island's ancient capital, Thira, where we'll enjoy a spectacular walk along the rim of the ancient volcano whose eruptions throughout the centuries have shaped and re-shaped life on the island. Dinner on board this evening, as we sail north. Today's walk: 3-4 hours.

Day 8

This morning we sail to the west coast of Naxos, the largest island in the Cyclades. Once in port, we'll shuttle to the center of the island for a walk among olive groves and picturesque whitewashed villages. Then it is back to the yacht, where you can enjoy the afternoon swimming or exploring Naxos town. Dinner together this evening. Today's walk: 3-4 hours.

Day 9

This morning we head across the straits to Paros, whose marble was so prized by the Greeks and Romans that the stone used in many classical masterpieces, like the Venus de Milo, was quarried here! We'll shuttle to the center of the island for a walk to Lefkas (the island's capital during medieval times) and on to Prodromos. The latter part of today's walk is on a road dating back to ancient times. After lunch together, we shuttle on to Parikía, the modern-day capital of the island, where our yacht will be awaiting us. Dinner together. Today's walk: 4-5 hours.

Day 10

Mid-morning we reach Delos, once one of the most important sacred places and trading posts in the Mediterranean. We'll spend 4-5 hours exploring this intriguing island, where according to legend the gods Apollo and Artemis were born, before sailing on to Mykonos this afternoon. Enjoy a stroll through Mykonos town this evening. Dinner together. Today's walk: 4-5 hours.

Day 11

After a leisurely breakfast, you have the option of spending the day on the beach or joining us for a walk across Mykonos. Our walk takes us from the monastery in Ano Mera across the backbone of the island to Mykonos town. We'll be back on board by late afternoon to sail back to Tinos. We'll enjoy a farewell dinner together in Tinos this evening. Today's walk: 3 hours.

Day 12

After breakfast together, we say goodbye to our Greek island odyssey this morning. You can catch the late morning ferry from Tinos and be back in Athens by 3 p.m. Or maybe you'd like to explore some more of the islands on your own? Perhaps some time at the beach? Whatever you choose, kalo taxidi.