(C) Greece Mainland and Islands
Including Crete & Santorini
This comprehensive 13-day tour through the cradle of Western Civilization offers the opportunity to explore some of the most significant sites Greece has to offer. We'll use a combination of transportation, from ferries to coaches to our own two feet to tour the must-see historical sites of Athens and Delphi, the amazing Benedictine Monasteries built precipitously on the cliffs of Meteora, and the fascinating island of Crete before we relax and watch the sun set over gorgeous Santorini. Come along as we explore the timeless glory of Greece on Greek time and in Greek fashion.
(C) Greece Mainland and Islands
October 11 - October 23, 2020Highlights
- Visit ancient sites of Athens, Delphi & Knossos
- Tour the Hanging Monasteries of Meteora
- Take a cooking lesson on the island of Crete
- Watch the sun set in Santorini
- Time to explore personal interests
- Suggestions for additional things to see
- Small group no larger than 18
- And More... See itinerary for details
Itinerary
Sunday, 11 October 2020: Arrive Athens, Greece; Welcome Dinner (D)
Welcome to Athens, the capital city of Greece! This city is filled with ancient wonders as well as modern cosmopolitan activity. Schedule your arrival into Athens no later than 3:00pm. Grouped transfers from the airport to the hotel are provided based on flight arrival times. The tour begins at 6:00pm in the lobby of our hotel, where we'll make introductions and then depart for our Welcome Dinner. Overnight Athens - 2 nights
Monday, 12 October 2020: City Tour; Acropolis & Parthenon Visit; Acropolis Museum (B)
Athens is one of the world's oldest cities, with a recorded history that spans more than 3,400 years. This morning we will enjoy a city tour. We'll visit the Parthenon, built for the Goddess Athena in 447 BC. This Greek temple, despite the gradual state of ruin and damage, still symbolizes the key ideals of harmony and balance that define the Classical style of Greek architecture. We'll also visit the Acropolis Museum, built over an archaeological dig site with an impressive view of the Acropolis from the third floor. The remainder of the day and evening is free for further exploration. Your Tour Leader will have an itinerary if you'd like to join her or feel free to strike out on your own.
Tuesday, 13 October 2020: Travel to Kalambaka - Gateway to Meteora (B,L)
Today we travel to Kalambaka, a town built at the foot of the majestic grey rocks and the gateway to the spectacular monestaries of Meteora. Interestingly, this city is extremely modern, having been rebuilt after the Nazis burned it to the ground in WWII. On the way, we'll stop at a local winery for a tour and tasting. This evening, we'll enjoy a sunset tour of the city, which will include seeing the thousand-year-old Bandovas hermitages inside caves high up on the rocks. Enjoy panoramic views as the sun slowly sinks below the horizon and the magnificent rocky landscape of Meteora comes to life. Overnight Kalambaka - 2 nights
Wednesday, 14 October 2020: Monasteries at Meteora; Free Time (B,D)
We spend the day visiting the serene and spiritual "hanging" monasteries of Meteora. Prepare to be amazed. The World Heritage site of Meteora, literally "middle of the sky," is an extraordinary place. From the 11th century in an area of nearly inaccessible sandstone peaks, monks settled on these massive pinnacles of smooth rock. Today, only 6 of the estimated 24 original monasteries survive, and we will pay visits to two of them.
Thursday, 15 October 2020: Ancient Delphi & the Temple of Apollo (B,D)
Today we travel by coach through gorgeous mountain scenery to Delphi to tour the ancient city at the base of Mount Parnassos. This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes ancient buildings like treasuries, a stadium, a gymnasium, an altar, hippodrome and the Temple of Apollo, dating to the 4th Century BC. Over the years, war and earthquakes have destroyed the site but the ruins still standing offer insight into the lives of the ancient Greeks. Delphi is more than just another collection of ruins in a country that is full of them; in ancient times it was considered the center of the known world, the place where heaven and earth met. Overnight Delphi - 1 night
Friday, 16 October 2020: Nafplio - One of Greece's Prettiest Cities (B,D)
Today we travel to Nafplio, often described as one of Greece's prettiest towns, to explore the narrow, cobblestoned streets. According to mythology, the town was founded by Náfplios, the son of Poseidon. The town’s history can be traced back to the prehistoric era when soldiers from here participated in the Argonautic expedition and the Trojan War. Overnight Nafplio- 1 night
Saturday, 17 October 2020: Free Morning; Mycenae Site Visit; Overnight Ferry to Crete (B,D)
This morning is free to spend enjoying the area as you wish. There are a plethora of ancient sites within easy reach of Nafplio. Perhaps you'll opt to visit Epidavros and its famous Ancient Theater, a classical Greek building still in use today due to its incredible acoustics, or simply enjoy relaxing by the hotel pool. Whatever you decide, be sure to have lunch before we depart. On our return, we'll visit the Acropolis of Mycenae with its impressive Lions Gate and the tomb of Agamemnon. We then continue towards the Corinth Canal that connects the Ionian Sea with the Aegean Sea. After traveling back to Athens by coach late this afternoon, we'll have dinner and then board an overnight ferry to Crete.
Sunday, 18 October 2020: Arrive Crete; Walking Tour; Cooking Class (B,L)
We arrive in Crete early this morning, pulling into Chania's Venetian harbor. This is perhaps Crete's most picturesque city, a place where different civilizations have flourished throughout centuries. We'll have breakfast together and then embark on a walking tour of Chania. Around noon, we will enjoy a cooking lesson and have lunch together. This afternoon we'll have time to rest at the hotel or relax at one of the many harbor-side cafes, or wander the maze-like streets of Old Town with its fascinating blend of ancient and modern Turkish and Venetian architecture. Overnight Chania - 2 nights
Monday, 19 October 2020: Day at Leisure in Chania (B)
Today is a great day to explore Chania at your own pace. Your Tour Leader will have suggestions for things to do this day.
Tuesday, 20 October 2020: Knossos - Oldest City in Europe; Ferry to Santorini (B)
Today we'll travel to Knossos, a city ruled by King Minos and believed to be the oldest city in all of Europe. We'll explore the ancient palace and surrounding area, which for centuries was considered only a mythical city and legend until is was uncovered in the 1900s by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans. At the end of the tour, we'll continue on to hop a ferry to beautiful Santorini to enjoy three relaxing nights on Greece's most popular island. Overnight Santorini - 3 nights
Wednesday, 21 October 2020: Island Tour; Tour by Boat & Sunset Dinner Cruise (B,D)
We'll enjoy a morning tour of Santorini, including the Akrotini ruins, Imerovigli and Pyrgos towns, the blue dome church and a tasting at a local winery. Late this afternoon, we'll board a boat and head to the Nea Kameni volcano where a local guide will lead us up to explore the rim of the volcanic crater. There are few places where you can enjoy exquisite views while perched on the rim of a massive active volcano in the middle of an indigo sea! After leaving the volcano, our boat will head for Thirassia, the second largest of the complex of islands forming the caldera. If you're so inclined, jump into the crystal clear waters for a quick swim while dinner is being prepared. We continue on to the town of Oia and then head back to Fira as the sun sets. The Santorini sunset is said to be one of the most beautiful worldwide.
Thursday, 22 October 2020: Free Day in Santorini; Farewell Dinner (B,D)
Enjoy a free day to explore this Aegean paradise. Perhaps you'll want to take a volcano tour or simply make your way to the crater's rim to take in the breathtaking view. We'll regroup tonight for dinner and reminisce about all we've seen and done on this "best of Greece" tour.
Friday, 23 October 2020: Return Home from Santorini, Greece (B)
Sadly, our adventure has come to an end. Make your return flight from Santorini at your convenience, remembering you will need to make your own departure arrangements and need to be at the airport a minimum of 2 hours before your flight departs. The WTT Tour Leader will assist with ride-sharing to the airport based on departure flight times.
(C) Greece Mainland and Islands
October 11 - October 23, 2020Pricing
Room Share
$5,324.00Single Room
$6,508.00Non-Members
ADD $100.00Status of this Tour
Do not Display to the Web
Tour Pricing Includes
- All meals and activities expressly listed in the itinerary, PLUS...
- All tipping of local guides
- WTT Tour Leader to enhance the individual & group experience
- Arranged room sharing with another solo traveler
- Travel Dollar credits (a benefit of WTT membership) toward future travel with WTT
Not Included In The Price
- Airfare or other transportation to and from the tour
- Departure airport transfers
- Meals and activities not specified in the itinerary
- Beverages other than coffee, tea & still water unless otherwise noted
- Any personal expenses or expenditures
- Any pre- or post- tour arrangements
- Passport fees
- Any gratuities for the WTT tour leader
- Travel Insurance
Payment Dates -and- Cancellation Terms for This Tour
These Payment and Cancellation Penalty Dates apply to NEW Reservations on or after 1 May 2020 for Greece Mainland & Islands, Oct 11 - 23, 2020:
At Space Reservation: Initial Deposit is due.
Monday, 27 Jan 2020: Initial deposit cannot be parked and is forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
Sunday, 7 Jun 2020: Payment in full. 50% cancellation penalty after this date.
Monday, 12 Jul 2020: 100% forfeited if traveler cancels after this date.
FOR THIS TOUR: The Payment Dates, and Penalties associated with the dates, SUPERSEDE WTT's standard payment dates and penalties.
Please review our Terms and Conditions before making your reservation. You will be required to confirm you have read and agree to WTT's terms & conditions before our website will allow you to submit the Reservation FORM.
By submitting the Reservation Form you are providing your electronic signature that you are authorizing WTT to charge your credit card the required amount due for the tour at this time, and to charge your credit card in a separate transaction for the membership length selected, if applicable.
Travel Insurance: It is your responsibility to purchase the amount of travel insurance you determine is appropriate to protect you from the risk of financial loss should you have to cancel your tour, or should unforeseen events, due to no fault of WTT, prevent the tour from operating in whole or in part as originally scheduled.
WTT does not sell travel insurance. As a convenience, we will email you information from 2 reliable travel insurance providers at the time we confirm your reservation, however you can purchase insurance from any provider you choose.
You can review the insurance information from TravelGuard to get an idea of rates.
(C) Greece Mainland and Islands
October 11 - October 23, 2020Flights, Transfers & Lodging
Arrival & Departure Information
Travelers will make their own air arrangements as follows:
When searching for flights for this trip, be sure to search "Multi-city" (on Kayak.com) or "Multiple Destinations" (on Expedia). For comparison, you may also want to search for one-way fares.
Arrival Airport: ATH - Athens, Greece (Athens International Airport)
Arrival Date: Sunday, October 11th. Arrive no later than 3:00pm.
Arrival Transfer: Group transfers based on arrival times provided. Details provided in Final Travel Instructions.
Departure Airport: JTR - Santorini/Thira, Greece (Santorini (Thira) International Airport)
Departure Date: Friday, October 23rd. Depart at your convenience.
Departure Transfer: Not Included. The WTT Tour Leader can assist in organizing ride-sharing to the airport based on departure flight times.
Lodging / Hotels
Athens: Hotel Titania
Kalambaka: Hotel Amalia Kalamabaka
Delphi: Hotel Amalia Delphi
Nafplio: Hotel Grande Bretagne Nafplio
Overnight Ferry: Chania Overnight Ferry
Chania: Kydon Hotel
Santorini: Hotel El Greco
In the unlikely event WTT is unable to provide the hotel accommodation(s) listed, for whatever reason, WTT will substitute similar quality accommodation(s) at no additional cost to the traveler.
Want to Arrive a Day Early?
- The room (standard check-in times apply)
- Transfer from airport to hotel
- Breakfast the following morning
- Optional activity suggestions prior to tour
$213.00 Roomshare $305.00 Single
The pre-tour package is an optional service. Rates are established at time of tour posting. Early check-in is solely at the discretion of the hotel and cannot be arranged in advance.
Additional Reminders About This Tour
- US citizens are required to have a valid passport. Most countries require your passport to be valid a minimum of six months after your return home date, and have at least two consecutive blank pages.
(C) Greece Mainland and Islands
October 11 - October 23, 2020Destination Information
What do others say about this tour and traveling with WTT?
How Does Room Sharing Work?
- If you wish to share with another solo traveler, select this option on the Reservation Form and your tour price will automatically be based on the room share price.
- Or, you may select a single room, when available, on the Reservation Form and your tour price will be automatically based on the single room price.
- These choices are clearly stated on the Reservation Form.
- All shared rooms have 2 beds
- All shared rooms are non-smoking
- No special requests about your roommate can be accommodated
- Most solo travelers elect to share a room
- See "Frequently Asked Questions" TAB for more details
How Active is this Tour?
Because of this requirement, WTT tours are not suitable for anyone who is physically challenged, walking impaired, or is a slow walker that cannot keep up with the pace of the group.
In addition to the minimum requirements, this tour involves a lot of walking and standing, often on uneven or unpaved surfaces. Heat may also be a factor. Ferry travel requires you to manage your luggage and keep it with you at all times. The specific activities on this tour are rated as follows:
- 40% Easy (walking involved)
- 60% Moderate
If you are in doubt as to your ability to meet the physical activity requirements, you should not sign up for this trip.
Read more about Activity Levels
What meals are included and how are dietary restrictions accommodated?
- Breakfast daily
- 2 Lunches
- 7 Dinners
Selections for the included lunches and dinners will highlight the local cuisine. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dietary requests can be accommodated on this tour with limited selections.
What clothing and items should I pack for this trip?
In general the temperature, rainfall and humidity levels vary based on the time of the year. We suggest you monitor weather apps before you depart for the most current information. For worldwide weather refer to http://www.accuweather.com/en/world-weather.
For This Trip You May Want—
- A small daypack
- Reusable water bottle
- Travel towel and small washcloth
- Swimwear
- Sun hat, sunblock and sunglasses
- Sport sandals that can get wet
- Sturdy walking shoes
- A light waterproof jacket and a fleece or sweater for the cool mornings and evenings.
- One smart-casual outfit if you'd like to dress up a bit for dinners.
- Bring what you need to get a good night's sleep, such as ear plugs, white noise generator, sleeping pills, etc. Unfamiliar noises of all types can disrupt your rest.
Good Packing Habits—
- Pack a limited amount of comfortable, casual clothing that layer and coordinate. Your fellow travelers will not mind or even notice – seeing you in the same clothing.
- Pare down your beauty regimen to the bare minimum and always pack travel-sized toiletries.
- Pack medication in your carry-on and pack only as much as needed for the duration of your tour plus a few extra days as a precaution.
What are the luggage restrictions for this tour?
On every WTT tour, our policies regarding luggage restrictions are driven by the tour activities, physical space limitations of the vehicles we use and the requirement that all travelers be able to manage their own belongings without assistance.
- It is best to travel as lightly as possible, particularly with this itinerary.
- We strongly recommend you bring only one suitcase no larger than 26 inches high as measured from the FLOOR to the top of the retracted handle, plus 1 carry-on. The small or medium-size in a 3-piece luggage set easily meets this requirement and should be plenty roomy for this length of trip.
- You are responsible for managing your own belongings. We expect you to take your belongings from the coach to your room and to bring it back to the coach on days we change hotels. We do not provide luggage pulls; they are not safe and are inconvenient.
- Steps exist at most hotel entrances. On occasion the coach must unload passengers and luggage some distance from the hotel entrance.
- Luggage space on ferry transport is limited. You are responsible for any and all charges you may incur with respect to oversize and overweight baggage by any of the transportation providers.
What are the health recommendations for this tour?
The standards for health and hygiene in Greece are good. You should practice the same hygiene rules as here in the US.
- While there are no specific vaccine requirements for Greece, you should be up-to-date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides additional guidance at www.cdc.gov. Please discuss any vaccine or health concerns with your healthcare provider.
- Medical facilities may be lacking in comparison to US facilities.
What are the phone and internet recommendations for this tour?
Only you can determine your need to stay in contact while traveling. Internet access is available in most hotels, sometimes for a fee.
- If you are bringing a cell phone, contact your cell phone service provider before departing about adding international calling and/or texting features. Texting internationally is often less expensive than placing a cell phone call.
- Learn how to make an international call BEFORE you leave. Consult your cell provider and check out the web site www.HowtoCallAbroad.com.
What are the electricity requirements for this tour?
You may need to purchase an adapter. To determine the electric plug configuration needed for your destination, refer to http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.html. A universal adaptor supports a wide variety of sockets/plugs. You should also check your electronic devices for voltage compatibility. Many countries operate on 220V or 230V, which differs from most of North America. Most of today's electronics (laptops, phone chargers etc.) are multi-voltage and will work worldwide automatically, without a transformer. Consult your owner's manual for further details.
How much money should I bring on this tour?
Only you can determine the optimum amount of cash to take on tour. When budgeting for out-of-pocket expenses, there are several aspects to consider: the number of meals you are responsible for, the amount of money you like to have on-hand for snacks and drinks, and your individual shopping interests and habits.
- Notify your credit card issuer that you will be traveling and provide dates of travel.
- ATMs are typically the best way of obtaining cash; they are found in most cities and at the airport. Smaller towns often have only one ATM and may not accept your card or may be out of cash. You must know your PIN number for your debit in order to use the ATMs. Greek ATMs accept only a four-digit PIN.
- The official currency used in Greece is the Euro.
- Exchange $100 or so into local local currency so you have cash upon arrival.
- Be sure to keep cash on hand for cabs, tips, smaller purchases, etc.
What are the tipping guidelines for this tour?
All tips to local guides during your tour have already been paid on your behalf.
- You are responsible for tipping wait-staff, porters, or other individuals who provide a service to you at the hotel, or other public locations.
- You may want to tip your WTT Tour Leader for an outstanding job. The amount is entirely a personal preference. If you'd like a guideline, consider $7-$10 per day.
What other Additional Information do I need to know?
- US citizens are required to have a valid passport. Most countries require your passport to be valid a minimum of six months after your return home date, and have at least two consecutive blank pages.
Can I transfer my deposit to another tour?
To get off this tour and register for another tour, you must follow these steps - in the order shown:
2) WAIT before submitting your new reservation! You must receive the Cancellation Confirmation email before submitting your new reservation. This can take up to 2 business days. The Cancellation Confirmation email will list the amount of parked credits from this tour that are now available to use on a new reservation.
3) COMPLETE the new Reservation Form and USE the parked credits towards your deposit on the new tour.
Note: If you used Parked Credits to pay the deposit on this tour, these credits cannot be used a second time and are not eligible to be transferred.
What happens if I need to cancel this tour?

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