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Mykonos, Santorini and Crete Luxury Island Hopping

Highlights

Enjoy luxury boutique accommodation
Sail to volcanos and dip in hot springs off the coast of Santorini
Discover Ancient Greek ruins on the magical isle of Delos
Master Cretan cuisine on a cooking class with a local

From £4426 pp

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What you'll do

Overview

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Overview

The ultimate luxury island-hopping adventure in the Cyclades and Crete, discover the local, authentic side to these islands on cooking classes in family homes, hikes that get you off the tourist trail, and wine tours with views to die for. From volcanos to ancient ruins, beautiful old town streets to rugged trails, discover these iconic Greek islands from a unique perspective.
*per person from price based on 4 people, travelling in June.

Summary

Arrive in Mykonos

2 Nights Mykonos BB

4 Nights Santorini BB

4 Nights Crete BB

Depart from Crete

According to mythology, Mykonos was formed from the petrified bodies of giants killed by Hercules. It might be famous for its thriving nightlife, but a little further off the beaten track and you can find the quiet, authentic Greek lifestyle and culture.

Whilst on Mykonos you’ll embark on a tour to the nearby island of Delos to drink in some of the best-preserved Ancient Greek ruins in the world and learn all about classic Greek history and culture, and enjoy a walking tour of Mykonos that helps you escape the crowds, and experience a little authentic local life.

Santorini, known since ancient times as Thira, is one of the most famous islands in the world. The fact that you can sit in front of a caldera, enjoy local dishes, a drink or a coffee while gazing at the remarkable beauty of an active volcano is something that doesn’t come easily in many parts of the world!

The “island” is actually a group of islands consisting of Thira, Thirassia, Aspronissi, Palea and Nea Kameni in the southernmost part of the Cyclades. Whilst here, you’ll relax on a wine tour that’ll introduce you to exquisite regional wines produced in ancient vineyards, and swim in hot springs after a sailing tour to an active volcano.

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a great destination for walking and has a culture and cuisine all of its own, which you’ll discover on epic hiking adventures and local lunches, and cooking classes with locals where you will learn to master Cretan classics.

By the time you leave the Greek islands, you’ll have done more than simply visit, you’ll have experienced the authentic culture and got under the skin of each destination, creating great travel experiences on a Greek island hopping adventure that will live long in the memory.

*Whilst most transfers, activities and all accommodation are private, some activities will occur in small groups and ferry transfers will be public.

Hiking Adventure with a Local Lunch

Your hiking adventure will start approximately 2 km from Spili village, at a location near the foothill of Kedros and at an altitude of 450m. There is a fountain there where travelers can have a sip of water before they begin their walk up and along the hill.

Follow a path that is fringed with wild olive trees, holm oak trees, hollies, and a wide variety of plant and wildlife. Pass by beehives where you can see how the locals breed their bees and collect honey, and at the end of this path, reach the dirt road that heads toward Kissos village.

Continue along this path, admiring more wildlife before entering Vatolakus woods, an area of approx. 600 acres created in 1985 by the Forest Department of Rethymno.

It is a wonderful forest with a variety of flora with trees such as Pine, Cypress, Akakies and wildlife. The path here is quite steep and ends on the road to the plateau.

Cross the gorge of Kissos and the imposing rock of “Red Detis”, where many wild birds gather such falcon, hawks and vultures. There you’ll find a natural “clock” visible, where locals can tell the time by looking at it from above.

Follow the road across “Gious Kampos”, located in the northwestern part of Mount Kentros between Spili, Kissos and Gerakari village, with good road access from all three villages. At an altitude of about 800m, it is considered a paradise for botanists and is visited by many to study the rich flora, especially the many orchid species.

Head back towards Kissos village, and on a small detour visit the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, an important religious pilgrimage of Rethymnon.

End your adventure at the historic village of Kissos, one of the highest villages in the Rethymno prefecture. After your hiking adventure is over, it is only logical that you will have built up an appetite. Head towards Vatos Village (10 minutes drive) and to Cretan Spiti, where the owner will create a unique family atmosphere.

Your hostess will share some stories about Cretan culture and history and make you feel more as if you are visiting close relatives or friends, rather than strangers you have just met.

Lunch will be served with dishes made with authentic Cretan ingredients such as olive oil, vegetables, cheese, meat, wine… and of course all the ingredients are fresh and local. The experience will come to an end at approx. 16:00hrs.

Accommodation

Rimondi Luxury Boutique Hotel or similar

Meals

Breakfast, lunch

What's included

Included

2 nights accommodation at Harmony Boutique Hotel or similar in Mykonos on BB basis
4 nights accommodation at Secret Suites & Spa hotel or similar in Santorini on BB basis
4 nights accommodation at Rimondi Boutique or similar in Rethymno - Crete on BB basis
Airport and port private transfers to/from the hotel
Roundtrip transfers for the tours

Ferry tickets Mykonos-Santorini, Santorini-Crete
Half day wine tour in Santorini
Volcano and hot springs sailing tour
Hiking adventure in Crete
Traditional cooking class

Your local host

Eleni Moraiti

We design holidays to suit all travellers’ requirements, showcasing the real Greece, creating “off the beaten track” itineraries and relaxing indulgent beach stays for discerning. Our skilled and passionate team is is committed to making your stay in Greece the best it can be, so you can relax and enjoy your holidays and experience the real Greece in style.

We design holidays to suit all travellers’ requirements, showcasing the real Greece, creating “off the beaten track” itineraries and relaxing indulgent beach stays for discerning. Our skilled and passionate team is is committed to making your stay in Greece the best it can be, so you can relax and enjoy your holidays and experience the real Greece in style.

Eleni Moraiti image

Sustainability Efforts

What Sustainability Efforts are we Taking?

At Not in the Guidebooks we’re committed to empowering the local communities in Costa Rica. We work closely with the local people and their businesses to make sure that they receive a fair percentage of the money you spend on your holiday there. By partnering with local guides and suppliers, we’re able to create meaningful, authentic experiences that directly benefit the people who call this incredible country home.

Location

Your Greek island adventure begins when you get picked up from Mykonos airport by your driver, and taken straight to your first hotel to relax.

From there, you’ll explore Mykonos, before ferrying to Santorini and spending a few days there, finally taking the ferry to Crete, and then to Heraklion airport at the end of the trip.

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