Itinerary
- Day 1
Chania
You'll arrive in Chania and head to your hotel to settle in. From there, make your way to the Allied War Cemetery at Souda Bay to pay respects and learn about the area's history. Later this evening, take a walk through the old town and check out the Venetian architecture that gives the place its character. Wrap up with dinner at the harbor where you can watch the water and catch your breath after traveling.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at the old port with traditional Cretan recipes)
Included Activities
- Visit Allied War Cemetery at Souda Bay
- Evening walk through Chania old town
Landmarks Allied War Cemetery Chania Old Town - Day 2
Elafonisi - Kandanos
After breakfast, you'll drive out to Elafonisi on the southwestern tip of Crete. The white-pink sand and clear lagoon there are really something to see, and you'll have time to take it in. On the way back, stop in Kandanos village for a leisurely lunch. Once you're back in Chania by afternoon, the rest of your day is yours to spend shopping, relaxing at a café, or just wandering around town.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Slow lunch in Kandanos village with raki and local hospitality)
Included Activities
- Visit Elafonisi lagoon and beach
- Stop at Kandanos village
Optional Activities
- Swimming at Elafonisi
- Walk along Elafonisi shore
- Explore small islet at Elafonisi when tide is low
- Shopping in Chania
- Visit Chania harbor
- Relax at a café
Landmarks Elafonisi Kandanos - Day 3
Margarites - Rethymno
Start your morning at Lake Kournas with a coffee while you take in the water and mountains. Head to Arkadi Monastery next, which is one of Crete's most significant historical spots and worth spending real time exploring. Lunch happens in Margarites village where you can see traditional pottery being made and maybe pick up something local. Later, you'll continue on to Rethymno and have the rest of the afternoon and evening free to wander the old harbor and check out the Fortezza.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Margarites traditional inland village)
Included Activities
- Visit Lake Kournas
- Visit Arkadi Monastery
- Stop in Margarites village
Optional Activities
- Explore Margarites ceramic workshops
- Explore Rethymno old harbor
- Visit Fortezza fortress
- Enjoy seaside atmosphere in Rethymno
Landmarks Lake Kournas Arkadi Monastery Margarites Rethymno Old Harbor Fortezza - Day 4
Sfakia - Samaria Gorge - Marmara Beach - Plakias
You'll travel south from Rethymno to Sfakia, then take a boat to Agia Roumeli. If you're interested, there's an optional short hike into Samaria Gorge to consider. After that, boat over to Marmara Beach where you can swim and have lunch right there by the water. On your way to Plakias for the evening, you'll pass Frangokastelo fortress ruins, which you can see from the boat. It's a full day of moving around and experiencing different parts of the coastline.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at simple beachside taverna at Marmara Beach)
Included Activities
- Boat transfer from Sfakia to Agia Roumeli
- Boat transfer to Marmara Beach
- Visit Frangokastelo
Optional Activities
- Short hike into Samaria Gorge
- Swimming at Marmara Beach
Landmarks Samaria Gorge Agia Roumeli Marmara Beach Frangokastelo - Day 5
Preveli Monastery - Preveli Beach - Phaistos - Matala
Start at Preveli Monastery perched on a dramatic cliff, then walk down to Preveli Beach below where you'll find a rare palm forest. Grab lunch in Damnoni village, and then head inland to see the Minoan palace site at Phaistos. By evening, you'll reach Matala village where you can explore the historic caves carved into the cliffs and swim at the beach as the sun sets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Damnoni with sea views)
Included Activities
- Visit Preveli Monastery
- Visit Preveli Beach
- Visit Phaistos archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Swimming and relaxing at Preveli Beach
- Sunset swim at Matala beach
Landmarks Preveli Monastery Preveli Beach Phaistos Matala - Day 6
Olive Oil Estate - Plaka - Spinalonga - Elounda/Agios Nikolaos
You'll travel northeast across Crete to an olive oil estate and learn how they produce oil traditionally, plus taste some of their products. After that, head to Plaka fishing village and take a boat out to Spinalonga islet. This place has a fascinating past as both a Venetian fortress and later a leper colony. Have lunch by the sea, then spend your afternoon free in either Elounda or Agios Nikolaos to relax or explore at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Relaxed seaside lunch in Plaka)
Included Activities
- Visit local olive oil estate and tasting
- Boat transfer to Spinalonga islet
- Explore Spinalonga islet
Optional Activities
- Stroll by marina or lake in Elounda/Agios Nikolaos
Landmarks Plaka Spinalonga Elounda Agios Nikolaos 
- Day 7
Heraklion
You'll head to Knossos to see the most significant Minoan palace complex with its grand staircases and colorful frescoes. Then make your way to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum to see an extensive collection of Minoan artifacts. Have a coastal lunch somewhere in the area, and then the afternoon and evening are yours to wander Heraklion's old town. Finish with a farewell dinner somewhere that lets you reflect on what you've seen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at coastal taverna near Heraklion), Dinner (Farewell dinner in the old town)
Included Activities
- Visit Knossos palace complex
- Visit Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Optional Activities
- Explore Heraklion old town
- Shopping in Heraklion markets
- Enjoy coffee in city squares
Landmarks Knossos Heraklion Archaeological Museum - Day 8
Heraklion to Santorini
You'll transfer to Heraklion port for an early ferry heading to Santorini. Once you arrive and check into your hotel, you can relax or take advantage of an optional highlights tour. This tour can include the blue dome church in Firostefani, the quiet village of Finikia, the famous cliffs and castle views in Oia, Profitis Ilias monastery with its 360 degree views, and Black Beach if you want to swim.
Optional Activities
- Santorini highlights tour
- Visit Firostefani blue dome church
- Explore Finikia village
- Visit Oia village and Venetian castle
- Visit Profitis Ilias monastery
- Swimming or water sports at Black Beach
- Lunch overlooking Aegean Sea
Landmarks Firostefani Finikia Oia Profitis Ilias Monastery Black Beach 
- Day 9
Santorini
There's an optional all-day catamaran cruise departing from Vlychada port that you can join. You'll see Red and White beaches, swim at Mesa Pigadia Beach, and check out volcanic formations and caves. The boat takes you through the Caldera, near hot springs, and offers snorkeling by the volcano. The cruise includes a BBQ meal and drinks on board, plus hotel transfers to and from the port.
Optional Activities
- Catamaran sailing cruise to Red and White beaches
- Swimming at Mesa Pigadia Beach
- Explore small caves
- Snorkel near volcano
- Swim in hot springs
Landmarks Red Beach White Beach Mesa Pigadia Beach Santorini Caldera 
- Day 10
Santorini to Mykonos
You'll transfer to Santorini's port and take a ferry to Mykonos. Check in at your hotel and then the day is open for you to explore. Wander through Mykonos Town with its whitewashed buildings and the charming area called Little Venice. You can relax at one of the famous beaches like Paradise or Psarou, visit the traditional village of Ano Mera, catch the sunset at the windmills, or settle in for dinner and nightlife.
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Mykonos Town
- Explore Little Venice neighborhood
- Visit windmills
- Explore boutiques and shops
- Visit famous beaches
- Visit Ano Mera village
- Explore Monastery of Panagia Tourliani
- Sunset view at windmills
- Dining at seaside restaurants
- Experience nightlife and bars
Landmarks Mykonos Town Little Venice Windmills of Mykonos Paradise Beach Super Paradise Beach Psarou Beach Ano Mera Monastery of Panagia Tourliani 
- Day 11
Delos
Take a cruise to the uninhabited island of Delos, which holds importance in ancient mythology as the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site where you'll see ancient temples, markets, houses, statues, and mosaics scattered across the island. Back in Mykonos in the evening, you're free to relax or dive into the nightlife.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cruise to Delos
- Explore Delos archaeological site
Optional Activities
- Relax in Mykonos
- Explore Mykonos nightlife
Landmarks Delos - Day 12
Mykonos to Athens
You'll transfer to Mykonos port for a ferry to Piraeus. When you arrive, you'll head either to your Athens hotel or directly to Athens Airport depending on your plans. This marks the end of your tour through the Greek islands.
- End point
- Athina, Αττικη, Greece (syntagma sq, 17:00 - 22:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
