Transport

Bus, Boat, Ferry, Taxi

Accommodation

6 nights simple boat 1 nights standard hotel

Meals

A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options 7 Breakfasts 6 Lunches

Guide

Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leader’s ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour.

Others

All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information.

Not included:

Flights

International flights not included in the tour cost

Insurance

Travel insurance is not included.

Others

Any visa costs, spending money and tips are not included in the trip price. You can also book extra nights’ accommodation at the beginning and end of the trip and the cost of this accommodation along with any transfers would be quoted separately.

Optional

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for direct with the supplier and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract. Castello Rosso (by taxi) - €10.00 per person Montofoli Winery Estate (by taxi) - €10.00 per person Styra village (by taxi) - €10.00 per person Eretria Museum entrance - €2.00 per person Optional excursions will need to be paid for in cash.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Join Trip At Athens International Airport And Transfer To Caique On Evia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Join Trip At Athens International Airport And Transfer To Caique On Evia

Our Grecian adventure begins today at 6pm at Athens International Airport (ATH). The latest your flight can arrive is 5.30pm, giving you time to clear the airport. We’ll meet and travel as a group by bus to the port of Rafina or Marathon where we’ll catch a ferry to the island of Evia. On arrival, it’s a short taxi or minibus ride to Karystos where our caique will be waiting for us. Before settling into our cabins, we’ll meet our friendly boat crew and enjoy a welcome drink. If your flight arrives earlier in the day and you have time to spare, Athens is easily accessible by metro from the airport. The airport is well signposted (in English) and it’s a direct train. There are also luggage storage facilities at the airport. Our home for the week is the MV Isidoros II, a traditional wooden caique, owned by our captain and tour leader, Thanos and his family. Thanos has been a part of the Explore family for 20 years - there’s nobody better to give you a warm welcome both aboard and to Evia. The vessel is exclusively chartered by Explore and has just eight cabins. Listed as a historic caique, there are fewer than 80 of the iconic Greek-designed boats left in existence, so being able to stay aboard is a real treat. Ours was built in 1962 and was originally used as a cargo ferry before being converted in 1974 to the comfortable passenger cruiser it is today. It’s owned and captained by Thanos, our tour leader, who’s been a part of the Explore family for 20 years. There’s nobody better to give you a warm welcome to the caique and Evia, too. The boat has a large sundeck and a comfortable galley for meals. There is a bar where you can purchase a range of local wine and beer, spirits, and soft drinks. There’s also a boat ladder and snorkelling equipment available on board to make the most of the many swimming opportunities. All of the cosy cabins are en-suite with windows and large fans and there is complimentary Wi-Fi on board. Our boat has a real home-from-home feel and you’re free to move around as you please. If you’d like to enjoy the clear night sky and cool breeze, you can even choose to sleep on deck. Evia is one of the largest Greek islands but remains off the main tourist trail. In summer and on the weekends, you’ll find the main visitors are the Greeks leaving the city of Athens to enjoy the waterfront tavernas and uncrowded beaches. This makes visiting Evia an authentic local experience. The rugged coastline is dotted with market towns, fishing villages, secluded coves, and wide sandy beaches. The sea is clear and warm, making it a wonderful spot to swim and snorkel, while the pine-covered hills provide the perfect backdrop and help to keep the evening temperatures cooler. Please note, the order of the itinerary and inclusions may vary due to weather and cruising conditions.
Day 2 Day 2: Enjoy A Day Relaxing And Swimming En-Route To Panagia
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Enjoy A Day Relaxing And Swimming En-Route To Panagia

Today we’ll travel towards the Archipelagos of Petali, where seven private and exclusive islands offer the best of the ’Jet Set’ lifestyle in the Aegean. Once the summer residence of the Greek Royal family, today it’s the playground of the Picasso family, the Embiricos family and other shipping tycoons. Maria Calas spent many summers here. There’ll be the opportunity to swim from the boat before we arrive in Panagia via the Fjord of Almyropotamos. Here we’ll visit the beautifully frescoed church and take a look at some of the 2500-year-old olive trees. Food and drink is a major part of our journey and you certainly won’t go hungry. Our boat crew will go out to local markets to buy fresh ingredients for our breakfasts and lunches on board the boat, so what we eat will depend on what’s in season. Our hearty breakfast will normally include fresh bread, cheese, ham, eggs, cereals, Greek yogurt, honey, marmalade, and fruit. Washed down with orange juice, coffee, or tea. Our crew will also serve complimentary tea and coffee with tasty biscuits and cake every day at around 11am and 5pm. Lunch is usually a freshly prepared hot meal such as oven-baked fish accompanied by seasonal salads and traditional appetisers and followed by a platter of fresh fruit. Each night of our trip, our tour leader, Thanos, is keen to show us Greek hospitality and great food in one of the waterfront tavernas. This gives you the opportunity to try authentic Greek grub such as barbecued seafood and various meats alongside traditional vegetable dishes. In short, this trip is perfect for foodies!
Day 3 Day 3: Discover Panagia On Foot
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Discover Panagia On Foot

Today, we’ll take some time to explore enchanting Panagia, a tiny, traditional fishing village, on foot. From the harbour, we’ll drive up country lanes and tracks to the village of Zarakes before moving on to Argyro (400 metres/1,312 feet), where the red-roofed houses are dwarfed by the mountains above. From here, we’ll descend to the coastal hamlet of Agios Dimitrios and walk back along the coastal road to Panagia. This afternoon, we’ll cruise to Eretria, one of the most well-known cities of ancient Greece and the birthplace of our alphabet. Please note that during times of adverse weather, usually when there are high winds, it might not be possible to sail to Eretria. Our captain will monitor the weather daily and make a final decision on the planned route. Today’s leisurely walk covers 10 kilometres/6.2 miles and is expected to take around 4 hours, with 400 metres/1,312 feet of ascent and descent.
Day 4 Day 4: Visit Eretria Archaeological Site And Museum, Walk To Summit Of Castelli Hill
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Visit Eretria Archaeological Site And Museum, Walk To Summit Of Castelli Hill

Today we’ll visit the local archaeological site and museum before climbing the forest path to the summit of Castelli Hill (120 metres/394 feet). There. We’ll discover the remains of the ancient acropolis. Later on, we’ll descend back to the port to enjoy an evening on the cosmopolitan promenade, watching the ferries coming and going to the mainland. Then, we’ll cruise onwards to Nea Styra, an area of stunning beaches and coastline. Today’s leisurely 5 kilometre/3.1 mile walk is expected to take around 3 hours with 120 metres/394 feet of ascent and descent.
Day 5 Day 5: Visit The Dragon House And Return To Caique Via The Valley Of Styra
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Visit The Dragon House And Return To Caique Via The Valley Of Styra

This morning, we’ll take a transfer to the start of our walk in the rolling hills above the small summer resort by the prehistoric Dragon Houses (400 metres/1,312 feet). From here, we’ll walk down ancient paths and through olive groves to the Valley of Styra and back to the harbour. As the sun sets, we’ll cruise to Marmari. Today’s moderate 10 kilometre/6.2 mile walk is expected to take around 4 hours with 400 metres/1,312 feet of ascent and descent.
Day 6 Day 6: Walk From Kampos To Marmari
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Walk From Kampos To Marmari

Today we’ll take a transfer to the starting point of our walk in the village of Kampos, where the vineyards of the island grow. From here, we’ll walk around the headland of Lycorema to Marmari on local paths through agricultural land. Marmari is a small port and fishing village with traditional tavernas, and cafes dotted along the waterfront. In the afternoon, we’ll sail around the headland to Karystos. Today’s leisurely 10 kilometre/6.2 mile walk is expected to take around 4 hours with no noticeable ascent or descent.
Day 7 Day 7: Walk To Gourna Villages And Castello Rosso
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Walk To Gourna Villages And Castello Rosso

After breakfast this morning, we’ll take taxis to Mili where we’ll begin our walk up to the villages of Gourna. These traditional villages sit beneath the imposing peak of the mythical Mount Ohi. Continuing along paved paths and dirt tracks, we’ll arrive at the old Ventian castle ’Castello Rosso’ (400 metres/1,312 feet) and enjoy the views back across to Gourna and Mount Ohi, and down to the coast, returning to the boat. Tonight, we’ll stay at a small hotel in Karystos. Today’s moderate 10 kilometre/6.2 feet walk is expected to take around 5 hours with 400 meters/1,312 feet ascent and descent.
Day 8 Day 8: Trip Ends At Athens International Airport
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Trip Ends At Athens International Airport

Departing Karystos this morning, we’ll take a short taxi or minibus ride back to Marmari or Styra to board the ferry for the journey back to Rafina or Marathon on the mainland. Our ferry will depart at approximately 9.50am. From Rafina, we’ll transfer to Athens International Airport, where we’ll arrive at around 11.30am. The earliest your flight can depart is 1.30pm.

8 days tour

Greek Cruise And Island Walking

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Greek Cruise And Island Walking

Day 1: Join Trip At Athens International Airport And Transfer To Caique On Evia

Day 2: Enjoy A Day Relaxing And Swimming En-Route To Panagia

Day 3: Discover Panagia On Foot

Day 4: Visit Eretria Archaeological Site And Museum, Walk To Summit Of Castelli Hill

Day 5: Visit The Dragon House And Return To Caique Via The Valley Of Styra

Day 6: Walk From Kampos To Marmari

Day 7: Walk To Gourna Villages And Castello Rosso

Day 8: Trip Ends At Athens International Airport

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