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10 Days in Greece: Athens, Santorini & Crete

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Meredith Peters, Travel Agent in Milford, NJ

Meredith Peters

Milford, NJ Travel Agent
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Meredith Peters

Milford, NJ · 8 Years of Experience

Travel With Meredith, LLC, an independent agent with WorldVia, a Travel Leaders Agency
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DESTINATIONS VISITED:Greece
PLACES VISITED:Athens, Crete, Santorini
SUGGESTED DURATION:10 Days
This 10-day Greece itinerary combines ancient history, iconic island scenery and time to actually enjoy each destination. Begin in Athens with the Acropolis and historic neighborhoods, continue to Santorini for caldera views, a private boat excursion and wine tasting, and then spend several days in Crete exploring its history, food and local culture. By staying in just three primary locations, the itinerary gives you time to experience Greece without constantly changing hotels or rushing between islands.
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DAY1
Athens
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Arrival in Athens & Explore the Plaka
Arrive in Athens and transfer to your hotel. After some time to settle in, spend the afternoon exploring the Plaka, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a rooftop restaurant with views of the illuminated Acropolis.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Private transfer to your hotel
Explore the Plaka
Rooftop dinner with Acropolis views
DAY2
Athens
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The Acropolis & Ancient Athens
Spend the morning with a private guide exploring the Acropolis and Parthenon while learning about the history behind some of Athens’ most important ancient sites. Continue to the Acropolis Museum for a closer look at the artifacts and history connected to the ruins you’ve just explored.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Private guided Acropolis tour
The Parthenon
Acropolis Museum
DAY3
Santorini
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Arrival in Santorini
Travel from Athens to Santorini and settle into your hotel. Spend the afternoon enjoying your first views of the caldera and exploring your surroundings. Whether you stay in Oia or quieter Imerovigli, keep the rest of the day open to relax and enjoy the island.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Travel from Athens to Santorini
First views of the caldera
Free time to explore and relax
DAY4
Santorini
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Santorini from the Water
See Santorini from a different perspective on a private boat excursion around the caldera. Take in the island’s dramatic volcanic cliffs from the water, visit the hot springs and explore coastal areas away from the busier towns.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Private boat excursion
Santorini caldera views
Volcanic hot springs
Time on the Aegean Sea
DAY5
Santorini
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Santorini Wine Tasting
Spend part of the day exploring Santorini’s distinctive wine culture. Visit local wineries to learn how grapes are grown in the island’s volcanic soil and why the vines are traditionally shaped into low baskets to protect them from the wind. Enjoy tastings of local wines along the way.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Visit Santorini wineries
Taste local wines
Learn about Santorini’s volcanic vineyards
DAY6
Crete
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Arrival in Crete
Travel from Santorini to Crete and settle into your hotel. Spend your first evening getting acquainted with Heraklion, with time to walk along the waterfront and enjoy dinner at a local taverna.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Travel from Santorini to Crete
Explore Heraklion
Dinner at a local taverna
DAY7
Crete
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Knossos Palace & Heraklion
Visit Knossos Palace, the center of the ancient Minoan civilization and one of Crete’s most important archaeological sites. After exploring the palace, return to Heraklion and spend time visiting the local markets and experiencing more of the island’s food culture.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Knossos Palace
Ancient Minoan history
Heraklion markets
Local food culture
DAY8
Crete
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A Free Day to Explore Crete
Keep today open to experience Crete at your own pace. Visit a mountain village, spend time at a secluded beach, take a local cooking class, or simply enjoy a leisurely afternoon at a seaside café. Not every day needs to be scheduled.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Explore a Cretan village
Relax at the beach
Optional cooking class
Free time to explore on your own
DAY9
Athens
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Return to Athens
Return to Athens for your final night in Greece. Keeping the last night in Athens makes the following day’s departure easier and gives you one more evening to enjoy the city, have a great dinner and do some last-minute shopping.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Return to Athens
Final evening in the city
Dinner and shopping
DAY10
Athens
Close Day
Departure from Athens
Your Greece vacation comes to an end today. A private transfer will take you from your hotel to the airport for your flight home.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Private airport transfer
Departure from Athens
FINAL THOUGHTS
This itinerary combines Greece’s history, islands, food and scenery without trying to see too much in 10 days. With three well-planned bases, you’ll have time for memorable experiences and time to enjoy Greece on your own.