Step Back in Time: Athens & Santorini History Tour

Once you arrive in Athens, a private driver will lead you to your luxury accommodation in the heart of the city. After checking in and having a bit of time to regroup, you will spend your first evening partaking in a Greek feast. The meal will be complete with all of the standard Mediterranean fare for which this country is known and beloved. Tonight, you will be feasting a stone’s throw away from the world-famous Acropolis. As you are wined and dined, you will have an unrivaled view of Athens and its iconic site.

Your first full day in Athens will offer a private tour of the city’s iconic landmarks. Some of the sites that you will visit include the Olympic stadium, the Acropolis, Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Zeus, and Parliament. By having a private guide show you around the city, you will develop a unique perspective while also uncovering the vast historical and even cultural aspects that make Greece so unique. At the culmination of your historical tour, a fitting end to your excursion will come in the form of an authentic hammam experience. Both luxurious and enlightening, this body and spa treatment will elevate you to a state of utter bliss.

Today, you will venture to Corinth, where you will be captivated by its ancient relics and intriguing remnants of the past. The iconic Corinth Canal will be your first destination, and here, you will marvel at this 19th-century creation that connects the Saronic Gulf to the Ionian Sea. Once a vital trading outpost, especially during ancient Greek and Roman times, Corinth has a wealth of ruins that will astound you, including temples, a bathhouse, a forum, and a theater. A favorite highlight of the tour for most participants is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the bema, which is a platform, where it is said that St. Paul himself actually spoke from as he stood before a panel of judges.

Today, you will make your way to the world-famous enclave of Delphi. After departing Athens in the morning, you will make your way to Delphi, where an expert guide will regale you with intriguing facts and myriad tales about this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Oracle of Delphi is famed for having spoken for and received words from the god, Apollo. Due to this reason, the ancient Greeks and many other foreign visitors would often travel from all over the world to this sacred and mystical spot, arriving to seek insight into their futures. Afterward, you will continue your tour by traveling to a pair of lovely villages en route to Athens, Arachova and Livadeia.

As the day dawns, it will be time to sail to Santorini for the next half of your Greek getaway. Once you arrive in Santorini, your driver will lead you directly to your luxurious accommodation, and after dropping off your luggage, you will indulge in an island-hopping excursion to Therasia. This picturesque island literally looks as if it has been frozen in time, presenting a relatively pristine landscape of tiny villages that have remained untouched by industrialization. Your tour will culminate at a locally operated winery, where you will be able to sample its special blends while enjoying a spectacular Therasia sunset. After your tasting, you will be able to indulge in a homemade meal in the vineyard.

Today, your tour of Santorini will focus on the island’s archaeological gems, including several ancient villages that look more like they belong on a postcard than in the real world. You will first stop at the ancient settlement of Akrotiri, which was buried in ash thousands of years ago during a volcanic eruption. Then, after visiting the must-see landmarks, such as the famous Blue Dome Church and the Prophet Elijah Monastery, your tour will conclude with visit Oia, where you will stroll through the town’s streets and appreciate its beauty.

The week will surely have flown by with such fascinating, historical wonders and exciting adventures. After brunch, your private driver will transfer you to the Santorini airport, where you will board your outbound flight.