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Dates and Booking
From
$3,995
GREECE

Athens and the Cyclades

PILATES IN PUGLIA

Athens and the Cyclades

Athens and the Cyclades

Heading

Oct. 19-26, 2025

10
Days
12-16
Travelers
6
Cities
View Itinerary
SOLD OUT
May 20 - June 2, 2025

Be nourished by the beauty of the Aegean while discovering Athens and the Greek islands from the perspectives of locals, through the birthplaces of ancient gods, and through the timeless beauty that defines the coastline.

10 days in Athens and the Greek Islands

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Your journey will begin in Athens with the iconic Parthenon and the foundations of Western culture then lead you through the islands of Naxos, Paros, Antiparos, Delos, and Mykonos and Santorini where the history of Greece thrives in the everyday work of artisans, wine-makers, and local guides. You’ll have a first-hand experience of the ‘nonagenarian’ lifestyle and the art of living beautifully and simply. 

Tour Price:
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Tour Dates:

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ITINERARY

Day 1

Welcome to Athens

Welcome to Athens. Named for the Greek goddess of wisdom, this ancient city-state inspired ideas of beauty and democracy that still shape our world today.

At 2:00 p.m. we’ll meet our Alithea guide for a welcome meeting in our hotel, then we’ll set out on a walk with our local guide through Plaka, Athens’ bustling cobblestone center where we’ll uncover the layers of modern, medieval, Byzantine, Roman, and Greek civilizations before arriving at the ancient agora—the marketplace where democracy was first established and where many of our most precious ideas of science and philosophy were first discussed. Here we’ll see the wonderfully preserved temple to Hephaestus, the god famed as the father of craftsmen and famous for his marriage to the goddess of beauty. 

Greece is renowned for its mythology, theater, and poetry that explore the various dimensions of the human condition. After an introduction to these ancient mysteries, we’ll conclude our day with a beautiful dinner and conversation with our new Alithea traveling family.

Walking: moderate

Day 2

Acropolis and Parthenon

We’ll set out after breakfast with our local guide to the new Acropolis museum where we’ll begin our morning with a tour of ancient Greek statues and the majestic reliefs of temples filled with the stories of heroes and gods, Greek history, and the story of how we know ourselves as human beings.

After an overview to the role of beauty in Greek society, we'll take a stroll through Plaka, Athens’ bustling cobblestone center where we’ll uncover the layers of modern, medieval, Byzantine, Roman, and Greek civilizations before arriving at the ancient agora—the marketplace where democracy was first established and where many of our most precious ideas of science and philosophy were first discussed. Here we’ll see the wonderfully preserved temple to Hephaestus, the god famed as the father of craftsmen and famous for his marriage to the goddess of beauty.

This afternoon we’ll be free to explore Athens on our own, to visit the temple to the Olympian Zeus, the Byzantine Museum, or the Panathenaic Stadium, or to browse the artisan shops of Plaka and the antique stores around Monastiraki.

Walking: strenuous, 4 miles

Day 3

The Greek island way of life

This morning we’ll depart from the port of Athens, Piraeus, and take the ferry to Naxos.

After dropping our bags at our hotel in Naxos we will stroll through town for a brief orientation before taking the afternoon to slow down, relax at the beach,shop, or hike the nearby hills.

Walking: moderate

Day 4

Cooking lessons, farmers, and the lived traditions of Naxos

This morning our journey will show us the agricultural and traditional side of Naxian life. As the birthplace of Dionysius, the god of wine, and home to the Temple of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, Naxos has always been a place of farming and shepherds. It's one of the few self-sufficient Cycladic islands. Our day will be dedicated to experiencing those traditions. We'll spend time hiking with experts in plants and herbology, we'll taste traditional products after a tour of a local farm, and we'll have a cooking lesson and lunch in the home of a local shepherd.

In the late afternoon, we will return to our hotel for a free evening, in time for a quick swim or dinner by the sea.

Walking: moderate

Day 5

Five thousand years and the capital of the bronze age seas

This morning after breakfast we'll take a walking tour of the Chora. Continuously inhabited for more than five thousand years, Naxos was the capital of the Aegean in ancient times. Whether walking alongside the seashore filled with pottery shards, strolling through the Venetian Castle and medieval town, or ascending to the gate of the temple of Apollo, we’ll begin our immersive journey through the traditions and culture that make the Greek islands unique.

After a free afternoon, we will regroup this evening, after our walking tour, we’ll conclude with a dinner overlooking the sea.

Walking: moderate

Day 6

Delos and Mykonos: the sacred and beautiful

Our journey through sun and sea will continue today with a visit to two of the most iconic islands of the Aegean. Our first stop will be to the island of Delos. Considered the birthplace of Apollo, the god of knowledge and the arts, this has been a sacred place since ancient times. It is this island that gives meaning to the Cycladic Islands—around “cyclic”, κυκλάς or those that form a circle around it.

After our guided tour of Delos we’ll continue to the whitewashed and windswept island of Mykonos where we’ll stop for lunch and independent explorations before returning to Naxos in time for dinner.  

Walking: moderate

Day 7

Naxos: villages, artisans, and wine

This morning we will immerse ourselves in Naxos island life. We'll take a tour through the villages and mountains where we'll experience traditional island life. We'll visit a ceramics workshop and see the  creation of objects traditionally used in everyday life. We'll be introduced to the art of weaving still practiced by local women and visit villages where the traditional way of working and farming still persists. We'll visit the temple of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, and we'll enjoy the fruits of Dionysius, the god of wine as we conclude our morning with a lunch of local cuisine and locally produced wine.

This afternoon after returning to town we'll be free to relax on the beach or enjoy an afternoon of shopping for artisan goods in town.

Walking: moderate

Day 8

Santorini: beautiful sunsets over the Caldera

After a free morning, we’ll arrive in Santorini. Famous for its beauty even in ancient times, the Phoenecians who settled here in the thirteenth century B.C. called the island Kallisti, ‘the most beautiful’. Created by the volcanic craters that gave way to its existence, the Caldera of Santorini is unique in the Aegean.

We’ll arrive around need and meet our local guide directly. Together we’ll explore the archeological site of Akrotiri. Like a Greek Pompeii, this city was destroyed when the volcano erupted in the sixteenth century B.C. and is a window in time to observe the daily lives of bronze-age Greeks

For lunch this afternoon we’ll enjoy a tasting of its world-famous wines paired with a light Greek lunch that create a sommelier’s journey through the ages.

And after checking into our hotel, we’ll be free for the evening to stroll through Oia and conclude with a spectacular view of the sunset over the Caldera.

Walking: moderate

Day 9

Sailing the Caldera

After breakfast in our hotel, we'll be free this morning to hike the path towards Fira or to relax and explore the cobbled streets and classic views of Oia.

We will regroup in the early afternoon and head to the port to embark on a spectacular sailboat cruise around the island. During our last evening together we'll sail through the caldera and have dinner on board while observing the sunset and sea of the Greek mariners.

Walking: moderate

Day 10

The Next Journey Begins

Breakfast is included this day but there are no planned activities. Catch a boat to Crete, Folegandros and other easily reachable Greek islands or head to the airport to connect to your next destination or to fly home. Your Alithea guide will be available to help with travel plans throughout breakfast.

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Day 13

Day 14

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Day 15

Day 15

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

I had an incredible experience with Alithea's Athens and Cycladic Islands tour! Unlike being just a spectator, I truly felt like an active participant throughout the journey. The tour allowed me to fully immerse myself in Greece's rich culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes. From exploring the ancient wonders of Athens to discovering the hidden gems of the Cycladic Islands, every moment was filled with excitement and wonder. Alithea's attention to detail and personalized approach made the trip unforgettable, giving me the chance to experience all that Greece has to offer. I highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a truly immersive and enriching travel experience. Thank you, Alithea, for an unforgettable adventure!

Written by
Karen S.

This tour was magical! Jesse, tour guide and fearless leader, is completely genuine! He managed to plan every detail imaginable and still embrace the unexpected moments and opportunities. Sharing these experiences with an awesome group of travelers was the icing on the cake!

Written by
Cathy S.

This trip was all we had hoped it would be. Alithea provided a full itinerary with historical and archaeological exploration, local cultural participation , adventure and , of course,  fun. The dinners and lunches provided were fabulous and our group was the absolute best companions  from around the country (and even the world !!) I will continue to watch for further offerings and I am sure will be booking again with Jesse and his organization.

Written by
Robert D.

The small group size was ideal. The attractions chosen were a perfect blend of history, culture and local flavor. No doubt I would book another tour with Alithea Travel and have recommended the tour to other travelers already.

Written by
Brian B.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

6 lunches and dinners.
All transportation to tour related activities, including our private bus and ferry rides.
8 nights in family-run boutique style hotels.
The cost of all entrances, local guides, and a cooking lesson.
Your friendly Alithea tour manager for the duration of the tour
6 lunches and dinners.

FAQ

For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

explore@alitheatravel.com
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TOUR TIPS

Pack Light

Alithea hotels are boutique, family-run and centrally located in the historic centers where the ancient roads are too small for buses. That often means needing to walk between our bus and hotels. Between destinations we will be required to carry our own luggage which may include significant stairs and no elevator. We encourage our travelers to take a simple carry-on size bag with a small backpack for outings.

Come Prepared

Alithea tours are outrageously fun. Come prepared to live in the moment. We will walk, talk, celebrate, dine, and make beautiful discoveries together. When we’re not exploring with our local guide we’ll be encouraged to venture out on our own, to celebrate our discoveries with a glass of wine, to go for a swim or a walk on the beach, or simply to relax and take in the beautiful view. Of course, we can’t visit ancient and beautiful sites without getting there first, and sometimes that means significant walking. Our first two days on this tour are the most physically strenuous. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns before booking.

Bus and Travel Time

Like every great story, there is no possibility of discovery and of arriving at beautiful places without a journey to get there. On our Greek journey we will take the bus and boat in order to arrive at the spectacular destinations we’ll be visiting. We’ll not only use this time to relax and enjoy the view but also to prepare with our Alithea guide for the sites we’ll visit next. Of course, we can’t appreciate the gorgeous vistas of the mountains without significant driving on winding roads.

FAQ

For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

explore@alitheatravel.com
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