Trails Less Traveled: 9-Day Hiking Tour of Greece

The capital city of Greece, Athens, mixes modern design with ancient architecture. It is a vibrant place to visit that honors its heritage as the heart of Ancient Greece. Museums in the city’s neighborhoods exude historical charm, celebrity restaurants overflow with culinary class, and the coastline captures endless natural beauty. You will experience it all as you arrive, check-in, and if time allows, tour the Athenian Riviera to the Temple of Poseidon on Cape Sounion. Admire the astonishing views of the Aegean Sea behind the temple's crumbling columns as you tuck into traditional Grecian meze and the sunset silhouettes Sounion.

The ancient history of Athens comes to life at notable landmarks, century-old museums, and protected ruins of former civilizations. A tour of Ancient Greece in Athens will bring you to this collection of archeological memorabilia, beginning with the Acropolis. The towering complex looms over Athens’ neighborhoods, casting shadows across the city. It stands as a symbol of days gone by and memorializes the region’s cultural roots. You will wander the historic sanctuary and browse the exhibits of the Acropolis Museum, unlocking the secrets of Greek mythology. Every minute of this tour will transport you further back in time.

In the morning you will pack your bags and transfer to one of Greece’s iconic pilgrimage sites in the legendary precinct of Delphi. The archaeological site is shrouded in mysteries for you to solve as you stroll through the complex of ruins straddling the slopes of Mount Parnassus. You will walk in the footsteps of Ancient Grecian royalty, who would take the same trails to visit the Oracle of Delphi, Pythia, at the Temple of Apollo. This hike will introduce you to the spiritual, musical, and architectural culture echoing from the ancient theater, Athena Pronaia Temple, and more.

You will have spent your evening in the breathtaking village of Arachova, an old mountain town with historic architecture that climbs the cliffs of Mount Parnassus. There are several hiking trails you may follow to viewpoints overlooking the vast countryside at sunrise. You will tuck into breakfast afterward and then make your way to the massive natural monoliths of Meteora. The eminent monastic site is a marvel to behold. Here you will hike to Byzantine monasteries carved into the cliffs, climb archaic rock formations that compose the illustrious landscape, and capture cinematic photographs of the surreal mountain setting.

The rocky outcrops of Meteora are home to many monasteries and marvelous formations to discover during your stay. You will set off early after breakfast on a hiking tour of more of the magnificent features stippling the slopes of Meteora. Your guide will escort you along hidden pathways where monks would walk to and from the impressive architectural monasteries, all while sunrise illuminates the monoliths. You will return to Athens later in the day and visit the Leonidas Monument to admire the history of the 300 Spartan soldiers who halted the advancement of the Persian King, Xerxis.

The Greek island of Paros is a picturesque place to visit in the central Aegean Sea that is part of the Cyclades. You will instantly recognize the iconic white-washed villages with blue-roofed homes synonymous with the architecture of the Cyclades as you approach the charming island from the Piraeus Harbour. For the next few nights you will experience the majesty of Paros and enjoy the advantages of choosing to stay on a quieter island on the Cyclades. Paros boasts immaculate golden beaches with crystal-clear waters, white-pebbled coves, and vibrant promenades to savor during your stay.

Paros is as much of a beach island as it is a hiking one, with many marvelous trails that cross the coastline, weave through the hillsides, and connect the charming coastal towns. Today you will traverse the granite cliffs, golden beaches, and stunning rock formations sprawling across the Agios Ioannis Detis peninsula. The trails will guide you to the bay of Naoussa, where a beautiful village anchors a pristine promenade riddled with fishing boats and lavish yachts. You will continue to the bay of Kolimbithres, climb the Koukounaries Hill, and see the Mycenaean ruins at sunset.

Today you will discover the unspoiled beauty of Paros from Livadia beach in Parikia to the rural village of Marathi. Livadia beach is a breathtaking slice of sandy paradise with thatched umbrellas shading recliners and sweeping shores with few other souls in sight. You will feel the soft sands beneath your feet as you cross the beach to walking trails that continue through the headlands and take you to ancient marble quarries. Your travels will continue across gravel footpaths along the Byzantine Way to Lefkes, before you arrive at the village and immerse yourself in the local culture.

You will wake up to a stunning sunrise over Paros that envelops the beautiful beaches in gold and signals the start of a gorgeous day. Restaurants will open their doors and the aromas of fresh Mediterranean meals will flood the streets. Locals and visitors will gather on the promenades, retreat to the beaches, and spend the day browsing the beautiful Grecian boutiques of Paros. You will tuck into breakfast and join in the fun as you spend the morning relishing your last moments in Greece.