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Whitewashed Fira on Santorini overlooking the volcanic caldera

CLASSICAL GREECE & ISLAND EXPERIENCES

Classical Greece, Mykonos & Santorini – 12 Days / 11 Nights

Ancient landmarks, Cycladic island life and volcanic landscapes in one complete group journey.

Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Start / End
Athens
Travel style
Private group programme with scheduled island transport
Theme
Culture, archaeology and island discovery
Departures
On request, subject to transport schedules
Audience
Travel agents, tour operators and private cultural groups

A Classical Greece and Greek Islands Tour

Combine Greece’s mainland heritage with two of its best-known islands on this twelve-day journey. Begin in Athens before travelling through the Peloponnese to Epidaurus, Mycenae and Olympia, then continue to Delphi’s mountainside sanctuary.

From Athens, travel to Mykonos for an introduction to Cycladic island life and an excursion to ancient Delos. Continue to Santorini to discover its villages, caldera landscapes and the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri.

Created for travel agents, tour operators and private groups, this Classical Greece and Greek Islands tour balances guided visits with free time. The programme includes a final night in Athens before international departure. Transport arrangements and the order of island visits must be confirmed around the group’s dates.

This twelve-day itinerary includes Olympia and Delphi but does not include Meteora. Meteora requires a longer programme or a revised route.

Tour Highlights

  • Explore the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum.
  • Visit Epidaurus and Mycenae.
  • Discover Ancient Olympia and its museum.
  • Visit Delphi’s sanctuary and museum.
  • Explore Mykonos Town.
  • Take a guided excursion to ancient Delos.
  • Discover Santorini’s villages and caldera views.
  • Visit the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri.
  • Return to Athens for the final night.

Your Route

Mainland coach visits

Athens → Corinth Canal → Epidaurus → Nafplio (short stop) → Mycenae → Olympia → Delphi → Athens

Scheduled island connections — subject to confirmation

Athens → Mykonos (ferry) → Delos (excursion boat) → Mykonos → Santorini (ferry) → Athens (flight)

Your 12-Day Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Day 1 – Arrival in Athens

    Arrive at Athens International Airport, where your group will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free to rest and settle in. No organised sightseeing is scheduled today.

    Overnight in Athens.

  2. Day 2

    Day 2 – Athens City Tour, Acropolis & Acropolis Museum

    Begin with a guided introduction to Athens, passing Syntagma Square, the Hellenic Parliament, Hadrian’s Arch and the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Stop for photographs at the Panathenaic Stadium before continuing to the Acropolis.

    Discover the Parthenon, Propylaea and Erechtheion while learning about the city’s development and cultural achievements. Visit the Acropolis Museum to explore sculpture and archaeological discoveries associated with the sacred rock. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

    Overnight in Athens.

  3. Day 3

    Day 3 – Corinth Canal, Epidaurus, Nafplio & Mycenae – Olympia

    Depart Athens and stop at the Corinth Canal before continuing into the Peloponnese. Visit the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, renowned for its acoustics and setting within the sanctuary of Asklepios.

    Make a short scenic stop in Nafplio before travelling to Mycenae. Explore the fortified citadel, enter through the Lion Gate and visit the Treasury of Atreus, traditionally known as the Tomb of Agamemnon. Continue through the central Peloponnese to Olympia. This is a full touring and travel day.

    Overnight in Olympia.

  4. Day 4

    Day 4 – Ancient Olympia – Delphi

    Explore Ancient Olympia, the sanctuary where the ancient Olympic Games took place in honour of Zeus. Discover the remains of its temples, athletic facilities and stadium before visiting the Archaeological Museum.

    Afterwards, travel north and cross the Rio–Antirrio Bridge to mainland Greece. Follow the coastal route towards Itea before ascending to Delphi, set on the slopes of Mount Parnassus.

    Overnight in Delphi.

  5. Day 5

    Day 5 – Delphi – Athens

    Visit Delphi’s sanctuary of Apollo, following the Sacred Way towards the remains of the temple. Learn about the oracle and the religious importance of a site once regarded as the centre of the ancient world.

    Continue to the Archaeological Museum to discover important finds, including the bronze Charioteer. After the visits, return to Athens and settle into your hotel before the island section of the journey.

    Overnight in Athens.

  6. Day 6

    Day 6 – Athens – Mykonos

    Transfer to the port for your scheduled ferry to Mykonos, subject to the confirmed programme. On arrival, transfer to the hotel.

    Later, enjoy an orientation walk through Mykonos Town, discovering its whitewashed lanes, waterfront, Little Venice and famous windmills. The timing of this walk will depend on the ferry’s arrival; it may be moved to the following day if required.

    Overnight in Mykonos.

  7. Day 7

    Day 7 – Delos Excursion & Mykonos

    Travel by excursion boat to Delos, one of the most important archaeological sites in the Cyclades. Explore the ancient sanctuary and settlement with your guide, discovering the island’s religious significance and its later role as a trading centre.

    Return to Mykonos with the remainder of the day at leisure. Enjoy the town, relax at the hotel or make independent arrangements to visit a beach. The Delos excursion is subject to boat operation, weather and site access.

    Overnight in Mykonos.

  8. Day 8

    Day 8 – Mykonos – Santorini

    Transfer to the port and travel by scheduled ferry to Santorini, subject to seasonal connections. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

    Depending on the confirmed arrival time and hotel location, there may be an opportunity to explore the surrounding area independently. No fixed guided sightseeing is scheduled today.

    Overnight in Santorini.

  9. Day 9

    Day 9 – Santorini Villages & Akrotiri

    Discover Santorini on a guided island excursion. Visit Akrotiri, the prehistoric settlement preserved beneath volcanic material, where excavated buildings and streets offer insight into life in the Bronze Age Aegean.

    Continue to the traditional village of Pyrgos before exploring Oia, celebrated for its Cycladic architecture and caldera views. Allow time to enjoy the village and take photographs before returning to the hotel. The order of visits will be arranged around access and local conditions; an Oia sunset visit is not included as a guaranteed feature.

    Overnight in Santorini.

  10. Day 10

    Day 10 – Santorini at Leisure

    Enjoy a full day at leisure to experience Santorini according to your interests. Relax at the hotel, explore independently or spend time in one of the island’s towns or villages.

    Optional — quoted separately

    Optional group arrangements can include a winery visit and tasting, a volcanic boat excursion or an additional guided cultural experience. These activities are quoted separately and remain subject to availability and operating conditions.

    Overnight in Santorini.

  11. Day 11

    Day 11 – Santorini – Athens

    Transfer to Santorini Airport for a scheduled flight to Athens, subject to the confirmed transport arrangements. On arrival, transfer to your Athens hotel.

    The remainder of the day is free for final shopping, independent sightseeing or an optional farewell dinner. The final Athens overnight provides time between the island connection and the group’s international departure.

    Overnight in Athens.

  12. Day 12

    Day 12 – Departure from Athens

    Transfer to Athens International Airport for your departure flight. No organised sightseeing is scheduled today.

    Departure — no overnight.

Accommodation Summary

Athens
4 nights, split across the programme
Olympia
1 night
Delphi
1 night
Mykonos
2 nights
Santorini
3 nights

Total: 11 nights.

Hotel category, room allocation and meal arrangements are specified in the group quotation.

Tailor This Itinerary

Request a Group Quote

A Programme Built Around Your Group

Cruise Club works with travel agents, tour operators and group organisers to develop programmes around their clients’ requirements. Accommodation, meals, guiding languages and additional experiences are specified in an individual proposal.

Arrangements available within a quotation

  • Hotel accommodation
  • Airport transfers
  • Private coach transportation for the agreed mainland visits
  • Licensed guiding
  • Admission fees
  • Breakfast and additional meals
  • Local operational support
  • Scheduled ferries and domestic flights

Your proposal will clearly identify the confirmed services, inclusions, exclusions and optional arrangements.

Practical Information & FAQs

Island connections vary by season and travel date. The final proposal will specify ferry routes, domestic flights, baggage allowances, transfer arrangements and any necessary itinerary adjustments. Weather and transport changes may affect the order of services.

Does this tour include Meteora?
No. This version includes the mainland sites of Athens, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Olympia and Delphi. Meteora can be considered within an extended programme.
How does the group travel between the islands?
The proposed itinerary uses scheduled ferries between Athens, Mykonos and Santorini, followed by a flight from Santorini to Athens. Final arrangements depend on the travel dates.
Are the island transfers guaranteed year-round?
No. Connections vary by season. The programme must be checked against operating schedules before confirmation.
Is Delos included?
A guided Delos excursion is part of the proposed programme, subject to boat operation, weather and archaeological site access. Confirmed arrangements will be detailed in the quotation.
Why is the final night in Athens?
It separates the island connection from the international departure and gives the group additional time in the capital.
Are Day 10 activities included?
Day 10 is at leisure. Suggested optional activities are quoted separately.

Request a Group Quote

Tell us about your group, and we will prepare a proposal around your travel dates and requirements.

Contact our group enquiries team

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Photography: Yoo Chung · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Resized and compressed.