Transport

We will be using a mixture of public transport, bus, ferry and local taxis. Occasionally the ferry schedules in the Cyclades are changed at the last minute and this can affect your itinerary. Whenever this happens, we will try our best to limit the impact this has and find the most suitable alternative.

Meals

All breakfasts included. In Santorini it is a basket breakfast in the room. Simple buffet-style Greek breakfast consists of bread/toast, butter, jam, fresh juice, milk, local yoghurt, eggs and honey, and coffee/tea. For lunch and dinner, we normally go to different local tavernas and restaurants (at times, picnics of locally sourced food will be suggested for lunch instead), where we can sample some typical Greek meze dishes, olives, fresh fish, vegetables and much more.

Others

All listed activities

Accommodation

We spend seven nights in three-star hotels on this walking trip. On the islands, we use family-run hotels, ensuring our visit benefits the local communities. We also have one night in a hotel in Rafina. Below are the accommodations we typically use. Rafina: Avra Hotel (night 1) Right by the port, Avra Hotel is ideally placed for our early morning ferry on Day 2. It also means we can enjoy sea views from the hotel and we’re within a short walk of the whitewashed Agios Nikolas Chapel. There’s also a modern restaurant (with floor-to-ceiling windows over the port), which serves a Cretan-Mediterranean menu. Santorini: Hotel Golden Star (nights 2-3) Our two nights in Santorini are spent at the 24-room Golden Star, which sits just outside the main town of Thira. There’s a pool area with sun loungers (a great place to watch the sunrise) and plenty of seating spaces to gather as a group. Naxos: Hotel Aeolis (nights 4-7) Just a three-minute walk from the main town square and a five-minute walk from the sandy Agios Georgios Beach, Hotel Aeolis is in the right place for our adventures. When you’re not out exploring the island, relax at the hotel pool or grab a sun lounger. Worth knowing The hotel bathrooms can sometimes be a little small and old fashioned. The swimming pools are open seasonally (May to October).

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Not included:

Flights

Flights not included

Insurance

Insurance not included

Others

— Travel Insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations — Tourist tax (paid locally)

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

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Day 1 Day 1: Start Athens; To Rafina And Overnight
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Athens; To Rafina And Overnight

We gather at our hotel and have our first meeting as a group at 8pm – a good chance to get to know your leader and fellow group members. Rest well tonight; tomorrow we wake early to catch a ferry. Accommodation: Avra Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 Day 2: Morning Ferry To Santorini; Then Explore The Town Of Fira (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Morning Ferry To Santorini; Then Explore The Town Of Fira (Breakfast)

In the morning, we take the ferry to Santorini (approximately eight hours). There’s a selection of restaurants and cafes on board, serving food and drinks throughout the journey. Santorini (known locally as Thira) is one of the most famous islands in the world. Known mainly for its beautiful beaches, it is a remnant of a volcanic cone whose top was blown off. A huge eruption (estimated 1650 BCE) gave it its crescent shape and many speculate that it was the location of the legendary lost Atlantis. This beautiful island has a lot to offer to walkers, including magnificent views of the Mediterranean. In the late afternoon, we walk around the town of Fira on a flat paved path to enjoy the stunning views of the caldera. Accommodation: Hotel Golden Star (or similar)
Day 3 Day 3: Walk Along The Caldera From Fira To Oia (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Walk Along The Caldera From Fira To Oia (Breakfast)

The 6mi (10km) Cliff Trail is a spectacular walk 1,310ft (400m) high above the volcanic caldera, a photographer’s delight and not too challenging. Half the path is pathed, while the other is a mix of volcanic soil, pumice and lava. Views of the Aegean are virtually ever present as we wind gently up and down to the pretty village of Oia, home to artists, galleries, boutiques and cafes. There’s time to explore, relax and soak up the culture before we transfer back to Fira. Accommodation: Hotel Golden Star (or similar)
Day 4 Day 4: Free Time In Santorini; Afternoon Ferry To Naxos (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Free Time In Santorini; Afternoon Ferry To Naxos (Breakfast)

This morning, we have free time in Santorini. Optional extras include a visit by bus to the buried city of Acrotiri, time at the black beaches of Kamari and/or a visit to the prehistoric museum of Thero in town. Leaving Santorini in the afternoon, we board the ferry to Naxos, the journey is approximately two hours. Accommodation: Hotel Aeolis (or similar)
Day 5 Day 5: Walk The Ravine Of Potamia Villages In Tragea Valley, Visiting The Ancient Statue Of Kouros (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Walk The Ravine Of Potamia Villages In Tragea Valley, Visiting The Ancient Statue Of Kouros (Breakfast)

Today we transfer for one hour to trek the lush valley of Tragea, best known for its ancient olive and citrus groves. It is a great opportunity to discover the most authentic part of Naxos, where picturesque villages and churches punctuate our walk. We wander along the ancient stoney path in the middle of the Naxian marble quarries until we reach Kouros, a gigantic statue from the fifth century BCE, which was damaged during transportation and then abandoned ever since, lying under trees in the Melanes Valley. Our transfer back is approximately one hour. Accommodation: Hotel Aeolis (or similar)
Day 6 Day 6: Morning Ferry To Paros; Hike The 1,000-Year-Old Byzantine Path From Lefkes; Evening Ferry Back To Naxos (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Morning Ferry To Paros; Hike The 1,000-Year-Old Byzantine Path From Lefkes; Evening Ferry Back To Naxos (Breakfast)

In the morning, we take a one-hour ferry to Paros, then a 20-minute bus to the heart of the island and Lefkes village, where we join an Old Byzantine path that runs all the way to the east coast of Paros. The route, which is on paved path and over small hills, is believed to be about 1,000 years old and used to traverse the entire island. Today’s trail passes through beautiful Cycladic villages and medieval villages. Then we explore the town, the castle and Byzantine Cathedral of Ekatontapyliani before we take a ferry back to Naxos in the evening. Accommodation: Hotel Aeolis (or similar)
Day 7 Day 7: Explore The Town And Visit The Temple Of Apollo (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Explore The Town And Visit The Temple Of Apollo (Breakfast)

Today, we take a walk to explore the main town, Hora, a Venetian Castello town. The market area is a delight to wander through, with its craft shops, chapels and quaint restaurants. On the islet of Palatia stands the impressive Portara, an ancient marble gateway and the entrance to the remains of the Temple of Apollo. Accommodation: Hotel Aeolis (or similar)
Day 8 Day 8: Ferry Transfer To Piraeus; End Athens (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Ferry Transfer To Piraeus; End Athens (Breakfast)

We take the ferry back to Piraeus or Rafina (approximately six hours) and transfer to Athens airport where the trip ends. Those on the group flights will be transferred to the airport for the return flight to London. Please note: the ferry port can change depending on the season and you might return to Rafina.

8 days tour

Walking On The Greek Islands

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Walking On The Greek Islands

Day 1: Start Athens; To Rafina And Overnight

Day 2: Morning Ferry To Santorini; Then Explore The Town Of Fira (Breakfast)

Day 3: Walk Along The Caldera From Fira To Oia (Breakfast)

Day 4: Free Time In Santorini; Afternoon Ferry To Naxos (Breakfast)

Day 5: Walk The Ravine Of Potamia Villages In Tragea Valley, Visiting The Ancient Statue Of Kouros (Breakfast)

Day 6: Morning Ferry To Paros; Hike The 1,000-Year-Old Byzantine Path From Lefkes; Evening Ferry Back To Naxos (Breakfast)

Day 7: Explore The Town And Visit The Temple Of Apollo (Breakfast)

Day 8: Ferry Transfer To Piraeus; End Athens (Breakfast)

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