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Fit for the gods

From the coasts of the Mediterranean to the top of Mount Olympus, Greece is a place grand enough for mythical gods and friendly enough for travelers alike. Uncover its ancient ruins and relics and take in an iconic landscape of whitewashed homes. This is only the beginning of the endless wonders you’ll find when you first set foot on Greek soil.

Destination Must-See's

This is the most spectacular destination in the Mediterranean and holds the most prehistoric settlement in the region. The ancient town of Akrotiri was once destroyed and consequently preserved by a volcanic eruption around 1450 B.C. The excavation site of this city is known as the “Minoan Pompeii.” But perhaps the island’s greatest draws are its vineyards, whitewashed chapels, volcanic cliffs, and famous wines of Santorini.

Known as the “whitewashed jewel of the Cyclades islands” or the “Island of the Winds,” it is said that the island was formed from the petrified bodies of giants killed by Hercules. It also gets its name from the grandson of Apollo - “Mykonos.” In the island’s capital town you will find the church, town hall, castle, the Archaeological, Folklore, and Maritime Museums, and a shopper’s paradise – Matoyianni Street.

Athens is the capital city of Greece and the historical capital of Europe. It is home to many celebrated ancient monuments including the imposing Acropolis, the ruins of the Temple of Zeus, the Royal Palace, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Olympic Stadium, and Hadrian’s Gate – the symbolic entrance to the city. It also has the charming Plaka neighborhood which has been without interruption since antiquity.

One of the most well-known tourist destinations in Greece, Olympia is located in the western Peloponnese, known as the “Valley of the Gods.” Surrounded by beautiful scenery from the Arcadian Mountains, it is home of the first Olympic Games that were held in 776 B.C. You can walk through the ruins of the ancient Olympic stadium, witness amazing sculptures at the museum, or even attend one of the many festivals held throughout the year.

Destination Must-Do's

Meteora Monastery:

Over 600 years ago Byzantine monks chose to build their monastic community atop limestone rock “towers” that extend nearly 900 feet into the air, making them virtually inaccessible. It is one of the greatest monuments in the world, and is the most important monastic center in Greece. You can climb these rocks and travel the paths hidden behind the massive rocks.

Delphi ruins:

Delphi was regarded as the center of the world and had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. The site includes two sanctuaries dedicated to Apollo and Athena, and other buildings that were mostly intended for sports. The earliest finds in Delphi date back to 4000 B.C. from the Korykeion Andron, a cave where the first rituals took place. The ruins are filled with an enormous amount of history and beauty.

Greek Olive Farm:

Olives and olive oil are staples of the Mediterranean diet, and Greece is a major grower and producer of olive products. A visit to a Greek olive farm can provide a taste of Greek culture and serve as a window into everyday life in the country. Tours, tastings, meals, and cooking classes hosted at olive farms are all wonderful options on the table when venturing into Greece’s countryside.

Travel back in time with a visit to Athens’s old city – the Plaka. The hilly cobblestone streets are lined with historic buildings housing small shops, sidewalk cafes and family-owned restaurants making this neighborhood Athens’ crowned jewel. The neighborhood comes alive at night. The alleyways fill with music and dancing and locals and visitors alike dine on their favorite traditional dishes.

Expert Advice

Getting around is easier than you would expect. Greeks can speak English enough to assist travelers, and street signs are in both Greek and English.

Much of your trip may focus on the ancient past yet I suggest you also take time to explore the vibrant traditions that still live in today’s Greek culture.

Greece is a welcoming destination year-round. Consider visiting October through May to beat the summer bustle, and with Greece’s 250+ days of sunshine in an average year, don’t forget your sunglasses.

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Greece tours discovery guide

Travel to a land where time stands still. Stand in awe at the foot of ancient ruins in Athens, walk through whitewashed coastal villages on Santorini, and island-hop along the Aegean. How many shades of blue will you discover in Greece?

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What to know before you go

More than 10 million people live in this island-rich nation. Did you know that Greece boasts more than 6,000 islands and islets throughout the Aegean and Ionian Seas?

Athens is Greece’s biggest city and one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world. Its history dates back more than 3,400 years.

Greeks are known for their warm hospitality and generosity—offering guests food and drink is a common practice.

You could easily fill a vacation admiring ancient architecture, adventurously island-hopping, or delighting in fresh-off-the-boat seafood. What flavor of Greece travel entices you most?

Greek islands to explore beyond the shore

Bask in the bewitching beauty of the Greek Islands, where azure water kisses black sand beaches. Marvel at the kaleidoscope of culture, from Rhodes’ imposing medieval walls to Santorini’s watercolor sunsets. Wander quaint cliffside villages and discover paradise around every corner.

Essential Greek Islands: Athens, Santorini & Crete

Want to hit the highlights? From the Parthenon in Athens to Mount Profitis Ilias on Santorini, expect awe-inspiring history and local flavors.

Greece’s Ionian Islands: Athens, Kefalonia & Corfu

Need to get off the beaten path? Explore up to six of Greece’s Ionian Islands for pristine beaches, lush greenery, and otherworldly clear waters.

Greece’s Dodecanese Islands: Kos & Rhodes

Looking to tantalize your senses and experience authentic island life? Soak up the sun and sandy beaches, taste wine and honey, and admire iconic windmills—in a whole new way.

Greece & Turkey Aegean Cruise

Want more seaside views? Sail the Greek Islands to Mykonos, Santorini, and Rhodes. Disembark in Turkey and surrender to Istanbul’s iconic landmarks.

6 Greek islands you can ’ t miss this summer

Whether you eat and drink your way from island to island or immerse yourself in the history of the tiny towns you visit along the way, there’s no wrong way to set your watch to island time.

Capture the essence of Ellada

Greece, officially known as the Hellenic Republic, also goes by Hellas or Ellada locally. No matter what you call it, it’s your launchpad to discovering the cradle of Western civilization and roots of democracy, philosophy, and art.

Grand Tour of Greece: Athens, Corfu & Santorini

Not sure where to begin? Join this exploration of treasured historic sites, whitewashed fishing villages, and everything in between.

A Week in Ancient Greece: Athens, Delphi & Olympia

Feast on the rich history and rugged beauty of hilltop fortresses, majestic marble temples, and timeworn cobblestone streets—in just one week.

6 reasons to visit Greece solo

Celebrating a milestone birthday or your newly minted MBA? Solo travel is the empowering, life-affirming, main-character-energy gift you give yourself.

Uncover your travel style

Epicureans, explorers, and history lovers, meet your perfect Greece travel match.

Respite & reflection

Follow our Footsteps of Saint Paul tour to the sites where the apostle lived and preached.

Souvlaki & saganaki

Savor 11 delicious days, eating and drinking your way through Greece on this Food & Wine Tour.

Action & adventure

Hike in Naxos and swim or snorkel off the coast of Paros on our tour of the Cyclades.

Apollo & Acropolis

Excavated ruins and magnificent temples await on our weeklong Ancient Greece tour.

Experiential travel made easy

You dream it. We’ll take care of every last detail.

We offer 200+ immersive, guided tours around the world. Wherever you choose to go, you’ll enjoy lots of advantages that make traveling with us different.

That’s all it takes to secure a spot on one of our group tours when you sign up for AutoPay . Plus, you can pay in interest- free, monthly installments.

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Take off on your big adventure— but why stop there? Every trip you book with us earns rewards that you can use to keep expanding your horizons.

What travelers say about our Greece tours

Even more tours to choose from.

Check out these itineraries to pair your Greece travel with more of Europe’s distinctive culture, scenery, history, and cuisine.

Travel tips for Greece trips

From the snow-capped mountains of the north to the sandy beaches of the south, Greece has something to offer everyone. Ancient cities, picturesque islands, and a stunning coastline along the Aegean Sea await. Whether you’re looking for a place to explore history, dive into local culture, or relax on the shore, Greece offers tempting options for travelers. On our guided tours of Greece, you’ll find itineraries for travelers of all types, making it easy to find the one that fits your interests.

• Meteora, Athens, or Delphi. Greece is home to some of the most important historical sites in the world, including the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Temple of Zeus. These sites offer a glimpse into the ancient world and its rich culture. If you’re a history buff, our Week in Ancient Greece: Athens, Delphi & Olympia tour is right up your alley.
• The Greek Islands or Pelion. If sunshine and coastlines are more your style, island-hopping in the Aegean Sea is a good option for you. Take two weeks to explore all they have to offer on our  The Greek Islands: Mykonos, Santorini & Crete tour .
• Mykonos and Santorini. For first-time visitors and those who only have a week to get away, our shorter Greece tours are a great way to go. Our  A Week in Greece: Athens, Mykonos & Santorini tour introduces you to the highlights of each location—and leaves you with vacation days to spare.

A  Greek Islands tour  has something for every type of traveler—beach lovers, foodies, hikers, and history buffs. Here are five of the best islands to visit in Greece (you can learn more about them in our guide to the Greek Islands ):

• Mykonos. A favorite of jet setters, Mykonos has all the ingredients for a good time: gorgeous beaches, bohemian-chic restaurants, and lots of options for nightlife and entertainment.
• Santorini. The beaches here are famous not for their golden sand, but for their black-and-red-rock sand. Head to the hilltop town of Oia at sunset for the quintessential Santorini experience.
• Paxos. If you’re a beach lover, Paxos has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The sand is soft and white, and the water is clear, making it perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving.
• Naxos. Looking for stunning beaches, lush vegetation, and traditional villages? Naxos offers it all. The village of Apiranthos is known for its whitewashed houses and cobbled streets.
• Crete. The largest of the Greek Islands, Crete offers beautiful beaches, scenic hikes, and interesting history. It’s also considered the culinary hub of the islands.

There’s no question about it: This country always makes a great getaway. In recent years, especially, it’s become a clear favorite, with Greece travel packages in high demand. Summer is the most popular time for visitors, and the islands tend to become crowded with sun-seeking adventurers then.

If you have the flexibility to travel at other times of the year, the best time to visit Greece is in the off-season. When temperatures are cooler, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the true essence of the country. Check out one of our Greece guided tours,  A Week in Ancient Greece: Athens, Delphi & Olympia , which is specifically designed to make the most of the cooler months.

Certain islands aren’t accessible during the winter, but this time of year is excellent for visiting the mainland. Hop between Mykonos and Santorini in the fall and spring for the ultimate Greek getaway.

In a land of rich history, rugged ruins, and remarkable beauty, the must-see destinations on our trips to Greece focus heavily on ancient attractions. But it’s not all about history. The towns, cities, and islands where you’ll find the top attractions offer exciting venues to explore, both old and new.

• The Acropolis. One of the most important archaeological sites in the world and a masterpiece of classical Greek architecture, the Acropolis is home to some of the most iconic landmarks in Greece, including the Parthenon, Erechtheion, and Temple of Athena Nike. Its museum houses more than 3,000 artifacts, from sculptures to jewelry, and offers stunning views of the Acropolis and the city of Athens.
• Ancient Agora. Originally the center of political, social, and religious life in Athens, this site was home to significant buildings, including temples, stoas, and law courts (the trial of Socrates took place here). Today, it’s a popular tourist destination featuring museums, archaeological sites, shops, and restaurants.
• Temple of Olympian Zeus. One of the largest temples in the ancient world, this colossal temple in Athens is dedicated to Zeus. While only 15 of the original 104 marble columns remain standing, the ruins are among the most impressive in Greece.
• Panathenaic Stadium. The site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and the 2004 Summer Olympics, this ancient stadium in Athens, made entirely of marble, was built in the fourth century B.C. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also a popular venue for concerts and other events.
• Acropolis of Lindos.  Set on a high cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea on the island of Rhodes, the Acropolis of Lindos is a beautiful and well-preserved archaeological site featuring a number of temples and other ruins.
• Palace of Knossos.  This ancient palace located on Crete, with its amazing frescoes and artifacts from the Minoan civilization, is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.
• Samariá Gorge. A national park located on the island of Crete, Samariá Gorge is one of the longest gorges in Europe and a popular destination for hiking and camping.
• Meteora monasteries. This group of monasteries, located in central Greece, is built on top of towering sandstone pillars and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
• Santorini.  The island of Santorini is one of the most popular destinations on trips to Greece. It is known for its stunning caldera, whitewashed buildings, and blue-domed churches.

Want to know where to go in Greece? Here are six Greek hotspots that belong on your bucket list .

This is a country that truly has something to offer everyone. On our tours of Greece, you’ll hit the highlights but also have the opportunity to enjoy some under-the-radar experiences—like these five unique places to visit . On or off the beaten path, here are some unique experiences you can have in Greece:

• Travel to remote and charming villages, like Kalambaka in central Greece
• Take a cooking class and learn how to make traditional Greek dishes
• Go on a wine tasting tour of Santorini or another Greek island
• Hike to the top of Mount Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece
• Kick back on one of Greece’s beautiful beaches
• Visit a women’s co-op on Crete to support local women’s employment
• Step inside sky-high monasteries in Meteora
• Visit a family-owned farm on the island of Crete and sample local products
• Swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea

We recommend you spend at least six days in Greece. While our most popular Greece tours run for nine days or more, you can enjoy a shorter trip if you limit your tour to one or two cities or islands.

There are many popular activities to experience on our tours of Greece, considering the country’s rich history and culture. Some of the most popular things to do include:

• Visiting historical sites.  Greece is home to countless historical sites, such as Delphi and the ancient Acropolis, as well as Olympia, where the Olympic Games were born.
• Exploring the countryside.  Mountain villages, scenic peninsulas, and pine forests make Greece’s beautiful countryside a pleasure to discover.
• Enjoying the food.  Greek food is famous for its use of fresh, seasonal ingredients and simple yet flavorful cooking methods. Wine and food tasting excursions on our Greece tours allow you to sample the best of Greek food and wine.
• Visiting museums and galleries.  Greece’s museums and galleries are a testament to the country’s rich history and culture. You’ll find artifacts from Greece’s most important archaeological digs in the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum.
• Taking a cooking class.  Cooking classes are a hands-on way to learn about Greek cuisine and culture, and they’re also a lot of fun. Many of our Greece tour packages offer added excursions where you’ll learn how to make traditional foods and enjoy your creations.
• Tasting wines. Produced in a variety of climates and settings—from the hot, dry climate of the Peloponnese peninsula to the cooler, wetter climate of the northern regions—Greek wines are known for their variety of styles, which include light and refreshing whites and full-bodied reds. On our  Food & Wine: A Taste of Greece tour , you can explore the country’s different varietals.
• Relaxing on the islands.  There are more than 6,000 Greek islands; the best are home to stunning scenery, delicious food, and beautiful beaches. If you’re planning a trip to this Mediterranean nation, make sure you visit these six islands . (Our Greek Islands tour  takes you to three of them!)

Greece has typical Mediterranean weather—usually mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. However, the weather can vary greatly depending on the region and time of year, so checking the forecast before traveling on any of our Greece tour packages is essential.

• Respect for traditions. Greeks are very proud of their culture and history, so it is important to be respectful of their traditions. This includes dressing appropriately for visits to religious sites.
• Greeting people. It is customary to greet people with a handshake and a kiss on the cheek. Of course, you can choose what feels comfortable for you.
• Dining. While in some countries it is considered rude to not finish your meal, in Greece it is considered polite to leave some food on your plate at the end of a meal.
• Tipping. It is customary to tip in Greece, but the amount is up to you. A tip of 10–15% is generally considered acceptable.
• Greek Orthodox Church holidays and festivals. Pay attention to the calendar because many businesses are closed on these days.

Greek food is famous for its use of fresh, seasonal ingredients, its simple yet flavorful cooking methods, and its emphasis on healthy eating. Trips like our Food & Wine: A Taste of Greece tour are guaranteed to be full of meals featuring fresh, delicious fruits and vegetables. Some typical ingredients in Greek cuisine include olive oil and feta cheese, as well as grilled fish and meat. Some of the most popular dishes to try on Greece trips include:

• Souvlaki. A grilled skewer of meat, usually lamb or pork, served with pita bread, tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki.
• Gyros. This is a similar dish to souvlaki, but the meat in gyros is cooked on a vertical rotisserie. You can find this popular street food all over the country.
• Moussaka. A traditional Greek baked dish made with layers of eggplant, ground beef, béchamel sauce, and feta cheese.
• Spanakopita. Served as an appetizer or main course, this savory pie is created with fresh spinach and feta cheese enclosed in crispy phyllo dough. Spanakopita is best enjoyed warm.
• Tzatziki. On a hot day, this refreshing dip made from yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and herbs hits the spot. Enjoy it served with pita bread, vegetables, or meats.
• Olives. Olives are grown in many parts of Greece, but the Peloponnese region is the largest producer. The dark purple Kalamata olive, famous for its rich flavor, is one of the most well-known varieties of Greek olives.
• Feta cheese. This traditional Greek cheese—salty, tangy, and crumbly—has been produced for centuries. Often used in salads, dips, and sauces, feta makes a delicious snack or appetizer.

Greek is the most widely spoken language in Greece; however, English is widely spoken in popular areas.

The euro. To stock up on local currency, order some euros from your bank before you go, or use your debit card at an ATM once you arrive. For tips on using the euro while on a trip to Greece, check out our blog on currency exchange .

We recommend packing light for your trip to Greece. One suitcase and one carry-on per person is a good guideline to follow; you should feel comfortable managing your baggage at the airport. If you’re visiting the islands, you’ll likely have to bring your bag with you on the ferry, so make sure you’re comfortable carrying it. After you’ve booked one of our Greece tour packages, we’ll give you information about how to prepare for your particular trip and even share a packing list in our mobile app. 

• Sun protection.  For all our trips, especially during the summer months in Greece, we recommend bringing sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect your face and the back of your neck from the sun.
• Layers.  We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
• Comfortable walking shoes.  Since you’ll be exploring new destinations with local guides, a comfortable pair of walking shoes is essential to have with you. Those walking shoes will come in handy while exploring the rugged ruins of Ancient Greece or the volcanic shores of Santorini.
• Dressier attire. If you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance on our trips to Greece, you may want to pack dressier attire.
• Full-coverage layers for religious sites.  On our Greece tours, it is preferable not to visit churches, temples, or other religious sites with bare legs or shoulders, and staff at these sites may deny entrance on this basis.
• A small day bag.  Many churches and museums will not allow you to bring in large backpacks for security purposes—you’ll need to check them at the door. However, you can wear a small day bag on your front, like a cross-body travel bag or stylish mini backpack.
• An RFID money belt or wallet.  Greece’s city streets can get busy, and like in any country with many tourists, you’ll want to be wary of pickpockets. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) can protect your credit card info from electronic theft, and a money belt will conceal your cash without ruining your outfit.

Once you’ve reserved one of our tour packages to Greece, we’ll send you detailed information about what to bring with you. Don’t forget to download the  Go Ahead app  before you take off, so you’ll have all the info you need about your trip right in your pocket.

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8 Day Greece Tour of Athens, Olympia, Delphi and Meteora

8 days, 1 country and 8 cities

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7 Breakfasts, 5 Dinners

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Walk in the very place western civilization was born as your travels reveal all the best of Greece highlights. From the other-worldly clifftop Meteora monasteries to walking the Sacred Way as the ancients once did in Delphi, this journey back in time will bring centuries of history to life.

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8 days itinerary trip from Athens to Athens visiting 1 country and 8 cities Select a Land Only Tour or Extend with a Cruise

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The Premier cabins on this 3-night cruise are located at exterior decks 3 and 4.

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This tour operates in reverse visiting Athens, Olympia, Meteora and Delphi. 

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About this trip

Sightseeing highlights.

Explore Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Corinth 

Visit the Acropolis and Museum in Athens, the ancient ruins in Corinth, the ancient theater at Epidaurus, the Olympic Stadium in Olympia, the home of the Oracle at Delphi, and the incredible rock monasteries in Meteora

View the Parthenon, Agora, Royal Palace and Temple of Zeus in Athens, the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus and the battle site at Thermopylae

See the Corinth Canal, the Lion Gate and Agamemnon's Palace at Mycenae

Explore Athens, Meteora, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Corinth with a Local Specialist

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Specific transfer information can be found here:

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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

All porterage and restaurant gratuities

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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Optional Experiences and free time

On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences

Every one of our tours includes at least one conscious travel experience that supports one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS). Look out for yours within the day-by-day trip itinerary.

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Net-zero by 2050

Travel knowing our 4-point climate action plan will ensure net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

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Your tour directly supports local communities by visiting family-run businesses, UNESCO sites and places of cultural significance.

Sustainable Practices

Every part of our business, from trip design to how we run our offices, aligns to our 5-year sustainability strategy which ensures a positive impact on people, the planet and wildlife.

Philanthropic Efforts

Our not-for-profit, the TreadRight Foundation, invests in nature-based solutions to address climate change.

You’ll make a positive impact to people, planet and wildlife on this tour

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Special Tauck Experience: a special dinner in Ancient Ephesus with musical entertainment

TAUCK VALUE INCLUDES

All gratuities to Tauck Director, ship staff, local guides and drivers

Traveling with Tauck's private group and the same Tauck Director on land and at sea aboard the ship

Tauck's private shore excursions and distinctive inclusions valued at $3,970

2 nights at the Hotel Grande Bretagne in the heart of Athens

7-night cruise aboard the yacht Wind Star or Wind Spirit to Mykonos, Delos, Santorini, Patmos, Monemvasia & Ephesus

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Active components such as hiking, bicycling and walking longer distances may be included, and hills and/or uneven terrain may be encountered on several days. Guests should be able to walk two to three miles and stand for long periods of time with no difficulty.

Moderately paced, and may include some early morning hotel departures, one or two on-tour flights, and extended motor coach travel.

Cultural journeys and expeditions

Step back in time to ancient Greece and sail to fabulous destinations steeped in legend, lore and sunshine and enjoy lovely sunsets over the Aegean Sea as our cruise blends ancient with modern in a kaleidoscope of discoveries both mythic and epic...

See for yourself what small ship cruising is all about, ephesus' library of celsus.

Although the ancient city of Ephesus, in what is now Turkey, was originally built by the Greeks in the 10th century AD, much of the ruins you'll see at the site today date to the city's Roman period – like the famed Library of Celsus, constructed in the 2nd century AD to memorialize a Roman governor of Asia. Only the facade of this remarkable building has survived, but restored and re-erected, it is a stunning example of Roman urban architecture.

Hotel Grande Bretagne

Eternal elegance in athens' ancient heart.

Situated right in the heart of Athens since 1874, the five-star, landmark Hotel Grande Bretagne offers an unrivalled perspective of the Greek capital's mythical history, with breathtaking views of the fabled Acropolis, regal Syntagma Square and the Parliament, lush Lycabettus Hill or the original Olympic Stadium. A favorite of celebrities and dignitaries for more than 140 years, this historic hotel is also within walking distance of exclusive shopping areas, museums and the business district.

From beginning to end, a fabulous vacation and a wonderful experience. The organization, itinerary and ship was superb.

Paul and Susan Spiess, NH

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About Booking This Tour

Travel Documents

If you are a U.S. citizen traveling internationally , you will need a passport valid for six months beyond the completion of your Tauck journey for entry into Greece and Turkey. Although Turkey usually requires foreign visitors to obtain a visa in order to enter the country, Tauck guests traveling aboard a ship are part of a validated escorted shore excursion and are thus not required to obtain an individual Turkish visa (regardless of their citizenship). You do not need a visa for Greece.

If you are a citizen of another country traveling internationally , you should contact a consulate or embassy of Greece to determine what travel documentation is required.

International maritime security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to us prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to us as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied. Once you board the cruise ship, your passport will be held by the purser until you disembark.

You will be issued a boarding card, which you must present before embarking the ship in each port. This security measure also ensures that only Tauck guests are permitted onboard.

We recommend that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, the date of expiration and your citizenship. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

To facilitate Travel Requirements, destinations are increasingly utilizing online forms that require digital proof that you've successfully completed your submission (via an email, QR code, etc.) To ensure smooth travels and peace of mind, we strongly recommend all guests carry a personal smart phone and sign up for international data plans before traveling overseas.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN AS A GUARDIAN: If you are traveling as the guardian of a child/children, we strongly suggest that you carry a letter from both parents of the child authorizing emergency treatment in the event of illness or accident. For travel abroad, many foreign countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling internationally without BOTH parents. (These requirements are in response to the increased incidence of children being abducted and taken abroad.) PLEASE NOTE THAT TAUCK IS NOT RESPONSIBLE for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for children traveling without both parents.

How to Book a Tour

See your travel advisor, or call Tauck at 800-468-2825 to make a reservation.

At the time of booking, please have the following information ready for all members of your party:

• Tour Name and Departure Date
• Traveler's Name: First and last names as they appear on your passport or driver's license
• Traveler's Address(es)
• Email Address*
• Traveler's Phone Number(s)*
• Emergency Contact Information: Please provide the name and phone number  of a relative or friend (not travelling with you) whom we could contact during the tour in the unlikely event of an emergency
• Interest in purchasing a travel protection plan (US and Canada)
• Interest in extending your trip by staying in a Tauck recommended hotel before your trip begins or after it ends
• Interest in our specially negotiated airfares

* Required Fields

Deposits & Final Payment

The deposit and the fees for the optional Protection Plan or Cancel Fee Waiver [CFW] coverage are due at time of booking.

The deposit amount is $1,500 per person

Final Payment is due to Tauck  60  days before departure for lands trips, and  120  days before departure for cruises and rail journeys. If your deposit was made by credit card, final payment will be automatic unless you opted out at time of booking. Bookings without full payment at this time may be subject to cancellation without notice. Failure to make payment will be a considered a cancellation by the guest and all applicable cancellation fees will apply.

Cruise Protection Plan

Effective for plans purchased as of July 1, 2021:

Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection

Tauck's Cruise & Event Protection provides you with cancellation protection before your journey begins as well as insurance benefits while you are traveling. It must be purchased within 10 days of your initial deposit. Guest Protection includes the following:

Cancellation Waiver – Provided by Tauck:

Under Tauck's Cancellation Fee Waiver you can cancel your tour for ANY REASON and Tauck will  reduce the regular cancellation fees outlined herein, provided we are notified of cancellation before your cruise departs. Certain terms and restrictions apply (see below*).

*Extreme Circumstances:  In the event of an act of God, war (whether declared or undeclared), terrorism, accident, natural disaster, outbreak of disease, or other event or circumstance beyond our control that contributes to or results in cancellation rates above our historical cancellation rates in the absence of such event or occurrence, Tauck reserves the right to issue a credit to you in lieu of a money-back refund, applicable to a future Tauck journey.  Travel Insurance Benefits – Underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company.

• Trip Cancellation –  Should you cancel for covered reasons, the plan reimburses cancellation fees imposed, up to your total trip cost. 
• Trip Interruption –  If you have to interrupt your tour for covered reasons, the plan provides reimbursement to catch up to your tour or return home.
• Travel Delay –  Provides reimbursement for missed, prepaid travel arrangements if you are delayed by a common carrier, natural disaster, unannounced strike, or other reasons as cited in the plan.
• Medical Expense –  Reimburses covered medical expenses incurred in the event you become injured or sick during your trip. 
• Baggage / Personal Effects Protection –  Provides reimbursement in the event your luggage or personal effects are, lost, stolen, damaged or delayed during your trip.

Worldwide Emergency Assistance Services –  Provided by Carefree Travel Assistance; 24-hour emergency telephone assistance hotline for medical and travel related problems.

The cost of Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection is:   $799   per person

This plan provides cancellation coverage for your trip and other insurance coverages that apply only during the covered trip. You may have coverage from other sources that provides you with similar benefits but may be subject to different restrictions depending upon your other coverages. You may wish to compare the terms of this policy with your existing life, health, home and automobile policies. If you have any questions about your current coverage, call your insurer, insurance agent or broker.

This optional Cruise and Event Protection must be requested at time of booking and fee must be included in initial payment. Details will be provided with written confirmation of your reservation. Cruise and Event Protection does not protect travel agent commissions. Reimbursements will be made according to original method of payment. The amount of any refund shall be reduced by any recoveries obtained by you from any third parties.

To obtain your state-specific Certificate of Insurance that contains the complete terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the certificate, visit  affinitytravelcert.com/docs/TACCREINTL

If You Have To Cancel

If you cancel within 10 days of initial deposit

Within the first 10 days after you place your initial deposit, you may cancel your reservation for any reason with no cancellation fees.

If you cancel more than 10 days after initial deposit

Regardless of reason, cancellations result in costly charges from our travel and hotel providers covering penalties and fees incurred by canceling confirmed bookings. These fees vary from tour to tour. Therefore, the following fees apply for this tour.

Cancellation Fees with Tauck's Cruise Protection Plan:

120 days or more before departure: Loss of cost of Tauck's Cruise and Event Protection fee per person 119 – 60 days before departure: Loss of 25% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise and Event Protection fee, per person 59 – 1 days before departure: Loss of 50% of the cost of the cruise, not including air (if applicable), plus loss of Cruise and Event Protection fee, per person Cancellation Fees without Tauck's Cruise Protection Plan: 120 days or more before departure: $1500 per person 119 – 60 days before departure: Loss of 50% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person 59 - 1 days before departure: Loss of 100% of the cost of cruise, not including air (if applicable), per person Time of cancellation will be when notice is received in our Wilton Woods, CT office.

Tour Interruption Fees

If you have to interrupt your tour en route, you may be entitled to a refund for the unused land portion if it exceeds 24 hours; certain restrictions apply. Such refunds are based upon the number of overnights missed less a fee of $40 per person per day for unused transportation and other fixed expenses.

Partial Room Cancellation

A person who cancels or leaves a tour while a roommate remains constitutes a cancellation of one type of accommodation and rebooking of another type of accommodation. The price charged to the remaining person is the new, higher price for the new accommodation.

In the event of an unforeseen circumstance beyond our control, Tauck reserves the right to amend the cancellation and transfer terms outlined herein. Note: All Guests, regardless of residency, who book a Tauck journey have the option of purchasing the Cancellation Waiver provided by Tauck in the event they need to cancel their trip after making their reservations. Tauck's Cruise & Event Protection, which includes both the Cancellation Fee Waiver and the Travel Insurance Benefits and Assistance Services described above, is not available to residents of Puerto Rico.

Travel Terms and Conditions

Click here  to find Tauck's Travel Terms & Conditions.

Travel Requirements For This Tour

Air Information and Luggage Restrictions

AIRFARE: Airfare to and from this destination is not included in the journey cost. If purchasing your air elsewhere, it is very important to provide us with your confirmed arriving and departing flight information no later than 3 weeks before your arrival date. Flight information can be submitted to Tauck (or verified, if you've already provided it) in the My Account section of Tauck.com.

TAUCK AIRPORT TRANSFERS are included at the start and end of the journey between the airport and the Tauck hotel. Airport transfers are available for any pre tour or post tour hotel stays immediately consecutive to the tour, providing flight information is received in the Tauck office no later than three weeks in advance. Details on locating your transfer upon arrival to the tour start city will be included in your final documents.

AIRLINES and CHECKED LUGGAGE: Due to space limitations during your Tauck journey, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one average-size suitcase per person. Besides complying with the Tauck restriction noted above, you should also be sure to research and comply with all airline baggage restrictions relating to your flights to and from your Tauck journey. Airlines have become much more strict in enforcing size and weight limits in recent years, and are free to revise luggage policies without notice. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies. PLEASE NOTE that if you are booked on a tour that includes on-tour flights, the checked luggage weight restrictions for these flights may be lower than the weight restrictions for your international flights.

Special Luggage Restrictions for this Tour

Due to space constraints aboard the Windstar vessel and on motor coaches in Greece and Turkey, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to one small carry-on, no larger than an average size knapsack, which will easily fit under your seat, as overhead racks are not wide enough to accommodate large bags.

Checked Luggage – General

Due to space restrictions, we ask that you please limit your checked luggage to one suitcase per person weighing no more than 50 pounds (23 kg) and with overall dimensions (length + width + height) not exceeding 62 inches (158 cm). 

Airlines are free to revise luggage policies without notice, and certain airlines have different baggage allowances for different classes of service. Researching and complying with airline luggage restrictions is the responsibility of the guest, and Tauck cannot be held responsible for any costs or disruptions to travel caused by the failure to research and comply with airline policies .

Tauck luggage tags will be provided by your Tauck Director on Day 1 of your itinerary. Please do not attach a Tauck luggage tag to any carry-on items, as the Tauck tags designate luggage that is to be handled and transferred by ground operators and hotel staff during your journey.

Health, Safety and Mobility

HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS

A doctor and limited medical facilities are available onboard. However, if you take special medications, please bring an adequate supply with you; they may not be available onboard. Medical services and all medicines (except acetaminophen, aspirin and anti-nausea pills) dispensed to you by the ship's doctor will be charged to your shipboard account. If you become ill during the voyage and the physician is unable to care for your needs onboard, you will be transferred to medical facilities onshore.

The Windstar cruise ships are registered in the Bahamas. Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify us as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Some of the countries visited on this itinerary may require travelers to provide proof of vaccination against certain diseases in order to enter the country.  These requirements are subject to frequent change as outbreaks occur and subside in different areas, and it is therefore crucial that you obtain the very latest information on entry requirements as you prepare for your journey.

For the most current information, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by clicking here  and the World Health Organization (WHO) by clicking here . You may also wish to visit the web sites for the embassies of the countries you will be visiting.  Besides providing details on vaccination requirements, these sites can also provide information on vaccinations that may be recommended (but aren't required) and other potential health issues for which no vaccines are available.

Any decisions relating to your health, of course, should not be based solely on information provided by a web site.  It is critically important that you consult with your personal physician prior to your journey to obtain any required vaccinations and to review any optional recommendations offered by the CDC or other sources.

Please be sure to discuss your journey with your physician at least four to six weeks in advance of your departure, as certain vaccinations take time to become fully effective.  Also, be certain to ask your physician for proof of any vaccinations you receive, and to pack this proof along with your other travel documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked luggage).

Researching and complying with vaccination entry requirements for the countries visited on this itinerary is the responsibility of the traveler and not Tauck. Tauck is therefore not responsible for any expenses incurred or disruptions to travel caused by improper or incomplete vaccinations, or by the failure to provide proof of required vaccinations.

If you do not obtain the necessary vaccinations and proper documentation, you may be denied entry into one or more countries, or temporarily quarantined until the necessary vaccinations are administered, or until proper documentation is provided.

To enjoy this cruise, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over unpaved and uneven surfaces. Some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot.  Many of the sites visited were built in antiquity and have many steps and uneven surfaces. It is important that you wear sturdy, comfortable walking shoes that have already been broken-in. The amount of walking that you choose to do, however, is at your discretion. Additionally, you should be steady on your feet to circumnavigate the decks of the ship while cruising on the Aegean Sea. Some ship-to-shore transportation is by local tender.  Occasionally you may get wet with spray.

PLEASE NOTE:  We regret that this Tauck itinerary cannot accommodate wheelchairs or motorized scooters.  Likewise, we regret that we're unable to provide individual assistance to guests with walking difficulties or other personal needs.  The responsibility of the Tauck Director who accompanies your trip is to ensure that the larger group enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing individual assistance to any one guest.  Guests requiring such individualized assistance must be accompanied by an able-bodied companion who can provide it. 

Your Windstar vessel does not have elevators. 

SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS

The restaurants, hotels, caterers and numerous other partners we work with all do their best to accommodate special dietary requests from Tauck guests. However, given the diverse nature of those food providers (from small wineries to grand hotels to world-famous restaurants in more than 70 countries worldwide), some of our partners are better able than others to accommodate such requests. We therefore cannot guarantee that all dietary requests can be accommodated at every meal. Also, please note that where dietary requests can be accommodated, choices will frequently be limited.

Smoking is not permitted on the motor coaches or inside the ship, including inside staterooms. Smoking is only permitted on the outer decks in the designated smoking areas. These regulations pertain to e-cigarettes as well.

Reading List

We have compiled a reading list of recommended books to give you more information about the destinations you will be traveling to on your upcoming journey! You can view the reading list  here .

What To Pack

Bringing the right clothing for your trip is important – we've partnered with Necessary Gear who provide an "easy-to-use, one-stop shop" for your Tauck travel needs, specifically selected for this trip. Click here to visit their site .

Your journey is designed with leisure in mind. Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering.  Most days are spent outside or in transit. Therefore, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Breezy days at sea and cool evenings will require warmer, layered clothing. A jacket and tie are not required for gentlemen aboard ship, but may be preferred or required at some local restaurants.

The "casual elegance" of a small cruise ship is also reflected in the way their guests' dress. We recommend that you wear relaxed and comfortable clothing, as you would at an elegant land resort. For women's daytime wear, we suggest walking shorts, skirts, sarongs, lightweight tops and cover-ups; for evening wear - sun dresses, pants, or informal cocktail attire. For men's daytime wear, we suggest Bermuda shorts, polo shirts, and khaki pants; in the evening - lightweight trousers and short-sleeved dress or polo shirts. No suits or ties are required. Shorts, jeans, and t-shirts are not permitted in the restaurant during the evening.

Valet laundry service is available at the hotel listed on this itinerary. On board the ship, next-day laundry and pressing service is available; dry cleaning services, irons and ironing boards are not available.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for cruising on the Aegean Sea:

Rainwear, such as a raincoat and rain hat, plus a collapsible umbrella

Short and long-sleeved shirts/tee shirts (for the warmer, summer months extra tee shirts are always a good idea)

Shorts (for summer) and pants for casual daytime wear

Sport coat for men (suggested but not required) and slacks/dress for women for evening wear

Sweater; lightweight for summer, and medium weight for spring/fall

Camera, lenses, chargers, batteries and extra memory cards

Sunscreen and hat

Small flashlight

Insect repellent

Washcloth - not all European hotels provide washcloths, so you may want to bring one along.   A package of pre-moistened towlettes is an excellent alternative.

Travel alarm clock (many hotels do not have clocks in the rooms)

Reusable zipper lock bags or other waterproof bags

Prescription medicines (an adequate supply to last your entire journey), and written copies of your prescriptions from your doctor.  While it may be possible to refill prescriptions during your journey, the availability of refills cannot be guaranteed.  What's more, refilling prescriptions in foreign countries can be difficult and time-consuming.    

The Mediterranean and Aegean coasts of Greece and Turkey enjoy long hot dry summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures in Greece and Turkey are tempered by the Etesian northerly wind which blows across the Aegean Sea, and breezes called "meltemia", however, mainland temperatures are often very high. Winters are mild and wet, although rainfall is generally low in most areas.

To read about current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, noaa.gov , by clicking here.

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13 best greece tours: acropolis, meteora & more.

Visit Greece's islands and historic sites on one of these highly recommended excursions.

The Best Greece Tours

Getty Images

Explore everything from Greece's ancient history to beautiful beaches to caldera vistas on a guided tour. Many say a sunset tour in Santorini is an incredible experience.

Greece has plenty to offer travelers from the ancient remains in Athens to the picturesque beaches on Crete to the iconic white buildings that dot Mykonos . With more than 200 islands to explore, making a choice of what to see can be dizzying. That's where a guided tour comes in. In-the-know locals can help guide you to some of the best sights Greece has to offer. Using both traveler opinion and expert input, U.S. News gathered a selection of the best tours available in Greece.

Sunset Oia Sailing Cruises – Diamond Cruise

Price: From 230 euros (roughly $250) Duration: 5 hours

Several travelers call this tour the highlight of their Santorini vacation. Reviewers also praise Sunset Oia Sailing Cruises' friendly crew and the delicious lunch served on board. On the Diamond luxury catamaran cruise, up to 20 travelers will make stops at Hot Springs, Red Beach and White Beach (the lunch spot) for swimming and snorkeling. Along the way, you'll cruise by Aspronisi and Indian Rock, among other sights. The final stop is at the caldera for some photo-ops.

The five-hour trips depart year-round at either 9:30 a.m. or 2:45 p.m. (the afternoon sailing is a sunset cruise). Tickets for both cruises start at 230 euros (about $250) per person. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included, as well as a barbecue lunch, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, use of towels, bathrooms and showers. Gratuity for your crew is extra. Alternatively, the Platinum Cruise offers a similar itinerary at a slightly lower price.

View & Book Tickets: Viator | GetYourGuide

Chat Tours – Delphi & Arachova

Price: From 88 euros (about $96) Duration: 10 hours

The Delphi Oracle was one of the most important fixtures in ancient Greece. The Greeks not only considered it the literal center of the world, but also traveled from all over to visit the Oracle and its priestess of Apollo – Pythia – to learn of the future. Chat Tours takes travelers to this famous site and the neighboring museum to learn all about its history and see plentiful artifacts. The tour also includes a scenic drive through both Arachova and Livadeia. Tourgoers say they enjoy the experience of this Delphia & Arachova tour and are impressed with the archaeology around the site.

Tickets start at 88 euros (about $96) for adults with discounts available for children. For an additional fee, you can add lunch. Trips run daily from April through October; they operate Monday, Wednesday and Friday from November to March. Tours last about 10 hours. Pickups from select Athens hotels begins at 7:30 a.m. Chat Tours runs several other day outings in Athens and also operates a few multiday Greece tours.

Rhodes Sea Lines – Sun & Sea All Inclusive Chilling Cruise

Price: From 45 euros (about $49) Duration: 3 hours

As the tour's name implies, Rhodes Sea Lines' Chilling Cruise is all about relaxation. For three hours, you'll get to lounge on the company's boat while the crew takes you to some of Rhodes' most beautiful inlets. There are also ample opportunities to swim and snorkel as you admire views of the Greek islands. Tour-takers urge future travelers to take the cruise, saying it was one of the best things they did on their vacation in Greece. They also appreciate the alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks and fresh fruit available.

Tours, which are capped at 28 passengers, depart at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily. Tickets start at 45 euros (approximately $49) per person. Transportation from your hotel is available on request. Rhodes Sea Lines also runs a trip to Lindos and another to Symi.

View & Book Tickets: Rhodes Sea Lines

Santorini Wine Adventure – Daytime Tour

Price: From 140 euros (about $153) Duration: 4.5 hours

During this 4.5-hour outing, travelers will sample as many as 12 different wines at three separate Santorini wineries. Tastings predominantly feature white wines (including those made from Assyrtiko, a grape native to the island), but you may also sample a few reds and some sweet varietals. In addition to wine tastings, you'll enjoy a tour of a volcanic vineyard. Travelers appreciate the ample snacks along the way – several say they didn't go hungry – as well as the informative guides. An added bonus is the small group size: only eight to 10 people can join.

Tours depart around 9:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday from May through October. Tickets start at 140 euros (around $153) per person. For an additional 10 euros (about $11), you can take this tour around sunset. Ticket fees include round-trip transportation from your accommodation. Santorini Wine Adventure also offers a few private wine-themed excursions throughout Greece.

View & Book Tickets:  Option 1 | Option 2

Athens Walking Tours – Athens City Tour, Acropolis & Acropolis Museum Tour

Price: From 120 euros (about $131) Duration: 5.5 hours

When you purchase this tour, you'll have the option to get skip-the-line tickets to the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum , which means you'll breeze by other visitors waiting in line. At the Acropolis, you'll see the monuments, incredible views of the city and ancient temples. The Acropolis Museum houses numerous artifacts discovered at the Acropolis. Plus, you'll get a morning tour of the city to see the Hellenic Parliament, the changing of the guards and the National Garden, among other sites. Travelers enjoy the tour, noting that visiting the Acropolis with a guide makes the trip much more interesting than if you had stopped here on your own itinerary.

This 5.5-hour tour operates year-round and departs at 9:30 a.m. Tickets including entrance fees to the attractions start at around 120 euros (about $131) for adults. Children may receive reduced or free admission. Tickets without attraction entry fees start at 67 euros (around $73). Athens Walking Tours also runs tours of the Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum individually, among other options.

View & Book Tickets:  Viator | GetYourGuide

Odyssey Boat Kos – Kos-3 Island Cruise

Price: Adults from 28.50 euros (about $31); kids from 15 euros (about $16) Duration: 7 hours

Tour-takers routinely call this trip "amazing." They say the friendly staff, delicious lunch and interesting stops on three Greek islands make for a great day. The seven-hour tours depart Kos at 10 a.m. and return around 5:15 p.m. The first stop is Kalymnos and its town of Vathi, where you can explore its shops. The next stop, Plati, allows you to jump off the boat to swim in turquoise waters. The final stop is Pserimos to check out its small town or relax on the beach. Along the way, you'll also be served lunch and drinks.

Tickets start at 28.50 euros (about $31) for participants 12 and older, and 15 euros (around $16) for children ages 3 to 11. Children younger than 3 are free of charge. These Greece tours depart daily, usually from May through October.

Meteora Thrones Travel & Tourism Center – Authentic Hiking Meteora Tour

Price: Adults from 26 euros (about $28); kids from 19 euros (around $21) Duration: 4 hours

Meteora – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – has been home to monasteries since the 11th century. The monasteries sit atop towering sandstone formations and are awe-inspiring to visit. On this four-hour hiking tour, you'll trek about 5 miles among the great rocks. You'll also get to visit the interior of one of the monasteries. (Keep in mind: Visiting the monastery will cost an additional fee. Attire-wise, all visitors must wear shirts with sleeves and women are required to wear knee-length or longer skirts to enter. Men should wear shorts that hit below the knee, or long pants.) Hikers rave about the sites and say the guides are knowledgeable.

Tickets start at 26 euros (about $28) for adults and 19 euros (around $21) for children ages 4 to 12. Transportation to the site is included. Tours run daily starting at 9 a.m. and will pick you up at your hotel in Kalabaka or Kastraki, which sit about 220 miles northwest of Athens. Staying in Athens? Meteora Thrones also runs a train tour to Meteora that departs from Athens.

Alternative Athens – Athens Highlights Mythology Tour

Price: Adults from 65 euros (about $71); kids from 52 euros (about $57) Duration: 4 hours

Chances are, you've heard a Greek myth or two in your lifetime. During this tour with Alternative Athens, you'll have a chance to learn about some of the most famous myths, including stories of Theseus and the Minotaur, as well as gods and goddesses like Zeus, Athena, Aphrodite, Dionysus and more. As your guide spins tales, you'll see the Theatre of Dionysus, the Acropolis and the Agora, among other famous sites. Travelers say the tour is great for all ages and compliment the guides for their masterful storytelling.

Tickets start at 65 euros (around $71) for adults and 52 euros (approximately $57) for children ages 6 to 17; kids 5 and younger can enjoy the tour for free. Entry fees to the temples are not included in your ticket. Tours depart daily at 8:30 a.m. and are offered in either English or French. You'll meet at the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Alternative Athens runs other outings in the city, including a street art tour, shopping tours and food tours.

Visit Meteora – Meteora Sunset Tour

Price: From 35 euros (about $38) Duration: 4 hours

Travelers say seeing Meteora's majestic formations in the glow of the sunset is a must-do activity. Tourgoers took incredible photos and were thankful for the air-conditioned bus. Not only will you see the sunset over Meteora, but you'll also have the opportunity to visit a monastery, see the Kalabaka Byzantine Church and see the hermitages of Badova. Note: You will need to pay a small additional fee on-site to enter the monastery and the church, and modest clothing is required.

Tour tickets start at 35 euros (roughly $38) with discounts available for couples, families and children. The four-hour tour runs daily. Exact departure times vary based on the time of year to coincide with the sunset. Pickups are available from both Kalabaka and Kastraki. Visit Meteora offers a wide range of Meteora tours, including multiday adventures.

Santorini Day Tours – Santorini Catamaran Tour with Greek Meal and Hotel Transfers

Price: Adults from 150 euros (about $164); kids from 80 euros (about $87) Duration: 5 hours

Cruise the Aegean Sea, feast on a Greek meal and swim in Grecian waters on this catamaran outing with Santorini Day Tours. You'll sail near the Red and White beaches, snap photos of the Santorini coastline and swim in volcanic waters. (Note: The company recommends wearing a dark-colored swimsuit, as the waters near the volcano contain elements that may dye fabric.) Travelers compliment the gregarious staff and delicious food.

Trips depart April through October at 9:30 a.m. daily. Tickets for the five-hour tours start at 150 euros (about $164) for adults and 80 euros (about $87) for kids ages 4 to 10; children 3 and younger travel free. Tickets cover pickup from your hotel, drinks (including wine and beer), use of snorkeling equipment, lunch and use of towels, but does not include gratuity for your guide. Santorini Day Tours also runs land-based tours of the island as well as an Atlantis-themed tour.

Athens Walks – Athens Gourmet Food Tour

Price: Adults from 69 euros (about $75); kids from 40 euros (about $44) Duration: 4 hours

Samples of Greek coffee, wine, olive oil and doughnuts (loukoumades) – among other tastings – wow foodies who take this walking tour. The tour-takers also praise the savvy guides. Tours begin in Monastiraki Square. From here, your guide will lead you to local spots for food and drink samples. One stop is a specialty deli where you'll have the option to purchase cheese, olives, oils and other delights to take home. In total, you'll spend about four hours tasting your way through Athens.

Tickets start at 69 euros (about $75) for adults with discounts available for teens and children. Tours generally depart Monday through Saturday at multiple times each day. Athens Walks also operates tours of the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum and the Parthenon , among others.

View & Book Tickets: Viator | GetYourGuide 

Abba Travel & Rentals – North Zante Full Day Tour

Price: Adults from 60 euros (about $66); kids from 35 euros (about $38) Duration: 6 to 9 hours

Discover Zakynthos on this tour that explores both land and water. The day begins in Bochali, a small northern village, then stops at two beaches for photos. The second leg of the tour takes you to Agios Nikolaos Port where you'll board a glass-bottom boat to tour the Blue Caves then journey to Shipwreck Beach for a swim. You'll make additional stops at Greek villages and an olive oil factory before returning to your accommodations. Travelers say this outing was a great addition to their vacation. Others called it "perfect."

Fees start at 60 euros (about $66) for tour-takers 12 and older and 35 euros (about $38) for children ages 3 to 11. Tours depart daily, though departure times vary – they can leave as early as 8 a.m. Trips last six to nine hours. Abba Travel & Rentals also runs a trip to the southern part of Zakynthos.

Naxos Sailing – Rina Cave & Small Cyclades

Price: From 110 euros (about $120) Duration: 10 hours

This tour has three different routes, and the route you take depends on both your preferences and the ocean conditions on the day of departure. The first option takes travelers to Kalados Bay for swimming and a meal prepared by a local chef. The second option takes tourgoers to Iraklia or Schinoussa to explore the villages there. The third choice is a trip to the Koufonisia islands to see impressive sea-made tunnels and Pano Koufonisi's towns. No matter which route is chosen, all tours begin with a visit to the sea caves at Rina. Reviewers say they enjoy not only the scenery, but also the opportunity to help sail the boat.

Tours run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, departing from and returning to Naxos. Tickets start at 110 euros (around $120) per person. Keep in mind: The company owns one boat, so you may travel with people who chose a different tour. In this instance, the company says it will run the most popular tour choice (weather permitting).

View & Book Tickets: Naxos Sailing

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• The Best Greek Islands
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Your Greece Vacation

Head off on your next adventure with a Greece vacation package, and leave knowing the finer details are already taken care of. Plus with the ability to customize your escape, it'll be one you won't forget! Athens , Spata-Artemida and Fira are a few of the most well-known cities here. Make sure your trip to Greece includes a stay in at least one of them! Start packing your bags, because your Greece vacation is only clicks away with Expedia.

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Thessaloniki

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Greece Beach Vacation Packages

With some of the world’s most beautiful islands and a warm Mediterranean climate, Greece is the ultimate beach destination. You’ll find an awesome range of Beach Hotels & Resorts to add to your vacation package to Greece, whether you’re planning to sprawl out on famous shorelines like Navagio Beach ( Shipwreck Beach ) in Zakynthos , Kamari Beach in Santorini or Platis Gialos in Mykonos .

Visiting Corfu ? Add TRYP by Wyndham Corfu Dassia to your Greece package deal. Moments from the golden sand of Dassia Beach and with an outdoor pool and hot tub, you’ll be on island time here. If you’re planning a Santorini Greece vacation, Stelios Place is a budget-friendly option just a walk from the black-sand shoreline of Perissa Beach . Want to experience those breathtaking sunsets the Santorini village of Oia is renowned for? Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa has amazing Aegean Sea vistas. When searching for your dream property, filter the results by ocean views, popular locations and more. Then, read verified reviews from fellow sunseekers and find your beach bliss!

Adults-Only Vacation Packages

If you’re seeking an adults-only adventure, our vacation packages to Greece promise plenty of peace and quiet — plus romance, if the mood strikes! Get away from it all (particularly the crowds and kids) at one of our Adults Only Resorts & Hotels in Greece . On the island of Zakynthos, Keri Village & Spa by Zante Plaza is a top pick offering a spa, hot tub and honeymoon suites.

If you’re putting together a Greece package deal on the mainland, check out our Adults Only Resorts & Hotels in Athens . With luxurious rooms, some with an outdoor hot tub, Athens 1890 Hotel & Spa - Adults Only is a favorite. Use our handy filters to find stays offering special extras like an on-site spa and hot tubs. When you’re ready to book, bundle your hotel, airfare and a car rental into a vacation package to Greece for a truly relaxing and affordable break.

Where to Stay

From bustling cities to breathtaking islands, you’ll have your pick of places to stay when putting together your vacation package to Greece. Here are some of our recommendations:

• Athens : Greece’s capital is rich with history. Base yourself here to experience its many historical ruins, along with its operas, ballets and dramas and excellent dining.
• Santorini : With its iconic architecture, magical sunsets, dramatic ocean vistas and wineries, this island is a couples’ paradise.
• Mykonos : Mykonos has enough bars and nightclubs to keep even the most avid partygoer entertained! While it’s famous for its party scene, there are plenty of beaches to relax on after dancing the night away.
• Naxos : Choose this easygoing island for its pristine sandy beaches, lush green mountains and archaeological sites. Shallow-water beaches make it ideal for families.

Top Things to Do

There’s so much to see and do during your Greece vacation. Immerse yourself in the rich history, culture and landscapes of this Mediterranean wonder with these ideas:

• Iconic sights : No Greece vacation is complete without visiting landmark attractions like the Acropolis , Parthenon , Temple of Olympian Zeus and Syntagma Square .
• Nightlife : Dance from dusk till dawn at parties on Mylopotas Beach on Ios island, or hit the epic beach bars and clubs at Super Paradise Beach on Mykonos. In Athens, club-hop through the Monastiraki area or join The Original Pub Crawl.
• Food : Head for Heraklion Port on Crete to eat your way through the many traditional restaurants and tavernas. Add foodie activities to your vacation package to Greece, like a Private Greek Food Tour with 10 Tastings in Athens .
• Nature : Lace up your hiking boots and explore Samaria Gorge in Crete and Mount Olympus in Thessaly . Don’t miss the incredible landscapes of Meteora , also in Thessaly.

How to Find Cheap Greece Package Deals

To find cheap vacation packages for Greece, simply browse our tempting offers or enter your destination and travel dates and sort your results by price. Another tip? Consider taking your Greece vacation in the low season (November through March) or the shoulder season (April through Mid-June, Mid-September through October). Peak season (mid-June through mid-September) is perfect for hitting the beaches, but expect higher hotel prices and large crowds.

Top Vacation Destinations in Greece

Visit the ancient capital with Athens vacation packages

Athens is one of the oldest cities in Greece, dating back to the ancient world, and you can still see much of its history on display through well-preserved ruins like the Parthenon. Several museums are available throughout town, but your best bet is simply visiting the ruins themselves. Additionally, you'll find modern attractions, too, like stunning world-class restaurants and a bustling nightlife.

Visit the island with Crete vacation packages

Crete is a massive island southeast of the mainland near the border of north Africa. On this island, you'll find welcoming towns and cities along with ruins of a historic culture known as the Minoans, who built a massive palace complex that you can still see the remnants of. Plus, the natural features and mountains here are good for outdoor adventurers looking for a satisfying hike.

Island hop on a Greek Islands vacation

Much of Greece is comprised of islands scattered throughout the Aegean, and each one has something special to offer to its visitors. When you visit the islands, you'll find stunning examples of Greek architecture as well as a more laid-back atmosphere compared to the mainland cities. Plus, the viewpoints from many of the islands make watching sunrises and sunsets unforgettable experiences.

Greece Essential Information

Prepare for your greece vacation with our essential travel info, why visit greece, greece hotel deals.

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Frequently asked questions, discover the most popular places to visit in greece, port of piraeus.

Explore the waterfront in Athens with a trip to Port of Piraeus. Discover the lively bars and fascinating museums in this walkable area.

Heraklion Port

Spend an afternoon wandering around this ancient harbor and admiring the fortress and ancient walls or take a trip to one of the nearby islands.

Port of Corfu

Enjoy tranquil seafront walks, swim in the Ionian Sea and admire the views of nearby islands at Corfu Town’s peaceful port.

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13 things to know before you go to Greece and the Greek Islands

Mar 6, 2024 • 8 min read

These top planning tips can help you prep for a trip to Greece, from health and safety to local etiquette © EMS-FORSTER-PRODUCTIONS / Getty Images

Get out your bucket list; it’s time to cross off a major line item: Greece . 

The fabled land remains tops for culture , food, outdoor travel, art and, of course, beaches and islands . As part of the border-free Schengen Area, it’s also incredibly easy to visit for many travelers worldwide. From advance booking to local etiquette – and health and safety issues when you're there – here's everything you need to know to plan a memorable trip to Greece.

1. Choose your season wisely

Your experience in Greece will be wildly different depending on when you visit . Summer is tops for action, family fun, and swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, but prices are at their highest and pre-booking is necessary for everything since it’s all so popular.

The shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) are a delight – prices are lower, and rooms and resources are more readily available. Winter offers a moody and budget-friendly retreat, great for walking, hiking and sedate travels where you will often be the only visitor around. Bear in mind that some businesses will shut down completely during the low season.

2. Prioritize your wishlist and make a plan

Do you want a grand tour, taking in the not-to-be-missed highlights all over Greece, or would you prefer to focus your time on exploring your favorite islands  or regions, like the Peloponnese ?

The best way to choose from the dizzying array of options on offer is to focus on what is important to you – relaxing on beautiful beaches, learning more about Greece's fascinating history and culture , museums and archaeology, off-the-beaten-track wildlife, or partying until dawn – and plan accordingly.

3. Find the perfect island or region for you

Greece merits multiple trips as every island offers something different , and each of its regions is equally dazzling – you're never going to see everything on your first visit, and you'll ruin your trip if you pressure yourself to do just that. Also, don’t be fooled that the biggies are the only islands worthy of your attention. Though Mykonos , Santorini and the major names have plenty to offer, lesser-known islands (there are hundreds!) like Amorgos or Kythira are also a delight. They've also got the added bonus of smaller crowds and lower prices if that's a key consideration for you.

4. Athens isn't the only gateway to Greece

In many cases, you will find it useful to transit in or out of Greece via Athens , as its airport has connections with numerous international destinations, and the city itself is a gem . However, there are other international airports around the Greek mainland (such as in Thessaloniki ) and on some major islands (such as Mykonos , Santorini  and  Corfu ).

If you need any internal flights to get to your destination of choice, it's worth checking the price of these individually. Due to government subsidies, it can work out significantly cheaper to book each part of your Greek itinerary separately from your international flights.

5. Book everything in advance during peak season

In peak season , prices are high, and demand for car hire, accommodations and ferry tickets is even higher – this is not the time for ad hoc bookings on the fly. Greece is an incredibly popular summer destination, and the best options get snapped up well in advance.

6. Roads in Greece are for confident drivers

No one who has traveled on Greece’s roads will be surprised to hear that the country’s road fatality rate is one of the highest in Europe. Overtaking is listed as the greatest cause of accidents. Heart-stopping moments aside, your own car is a great way to explore off the beaten track if you are confident in your driving and keep a few key points in mind.

• The road network has improved enormously in recent years; many roads marked as dirt tracks on older maps have now been sealed, and a lot of the islands have very little traffic.
• There are regular (if costly) car-ferry services to almost all islands.
• Greece is not the best place to initiate yourself into motorcycling. If you're not confident on a motorbike, it may be best to park this option until you have more experience.
• All the big multinational car-rental companies are represented in Athens, and most have branches in major towns and popular tourist destinations. The majority of islands have at least one outlet.

7. Greece is not very wheelchair-friendly beyond Athens

Access for travelers with disabilities has improved somewhat in recent years, but the majority of accessible sights, hotels and restaurants tend to be located in Athens. While improvements are on the horizon for beach access,  much of the rest of Greece remains inaccessible to wheelchairs, and the abundance of stones, marble, slippery cobbles and stepped alleys create frustrating barriers for those with mobility issues. People who have visual or hearing impairments are also rarely catered for.

Careful planning before you go can make a world of difference. There are specific resources online that provide links to local articles, resorts and tour groups catering to tourists with physical disabilities.

8. Pack the right kinds of clothing

Athenians are well-dressed, and the younger crowd is trendy, so keep your smart clothes for the urban catwalk of clubs and bars. Nevertheless, in Athens and other metropolises such as Rhodes , Thessaloniki and Iraklio , everyday attire such as shorts or jeans and casual tops are just fine.

Bars or fashionable restaurants require more effort – the scene is stylish rather than dressy. Think tops and trousers rather than T-shirts and cut-offs. In out-of-the-way places, you can wear casual clothing, and in summer, the heat will make you want to wear the least amount of fabric you can get away with – bring quick-drying tank tops and cool dresses.

Sturdy walking shoes are a must for the cobbled roads, and proper hiking boots are key if you're exploring the countryside on foot . It's respectful to cover up before entering churches.

9. Learn some basic Greek phrases

Greek is a tough language to learn thoroughly, but mastering a few basic greetings and niceties will make a world of difference in how Greek speakers receive you. In touristed areas, many people speak English, so rest assured that you can get by as long as you know some key phrases.

10. Carry cash and don't rely on cards or ATMs

As part of the EU, Greece uses the euro. In restaurants, a service charge is normally included in the bill, and while a tip is not expected (as it is in North America), it is always appreciated. Taxi drivers normally expect you to round up the fare, while bellhops who help you carry your luggage to your hotel room or stewards on ferries who take you to your cabin normally expect a small gratuity of between €1 and €3.

ATMs are found in every town large enough to support a bank and in almost all the tourist areas. Be aware that ATMs on the islands can lose their connection for a day or two at a time, making it impossible for anyone (locals included) to withdraw money. It’s useful to keep some backup cash just in case this happens during your visit.

Credit cards are now an accepted part of the commercial scene in Greece, although they’re often not accepted on many of the smaller islands or in small villages. Don't rely on your cards alone, and check in advance when dining or drinking if it's your only option.

11. Make sure you have good travel insurance

Although medical training is of a high standard in Greece, the public health service is underfunded. Hospitals can be overcrowded, and relatives are expected to bring in food for the patient – often a problem for solo travelers. Conditions and treatment are much better in private hospitals, which are expensive. All this means that a comprehensive travel insurance policy is essential.

There is at least one doctor on every island, and larger islands have hospitals. Pharmacies can dispense medicines that are available only on prescription in most European countries. If the situation isn't critical, it's often best to consult a pharmacist first for minor ailments.

12. Stay hydrated and remember how powerful the sun can be

Tap water isn't safe to drink on many islands – if in doubt, ask. Keeping a supply of bottled water to hand is essential for hydration as well as safety; many tourists underestimate how hot it can get in Greece, and heatstroke and serious sunburn are common on beaches with little shade.

Break up your sun-drenched siestas with time in the shade getting hydrated, and pack plenty of high-factor sunscreen. Mosquitos are an irritant rather than a danger – packing insect repellant is recommended.

13. Pickpocketing and other petty crime is common in busy places

The major risks of theft in Greece are pickpockets in the large cities and theft of belongings when lounging on busy, popular beaches (leave passports behind in hotel safes). Never leave your belongings unattended, and don't leave your bags hanging from the back of your seat where you can't keep an eye on them. 

The tourist police work in cooperation with the regular Greek police. Each tourist police office has at least one member of staff who speaks English. If you need to report a theft or loss of passport, go to the tourist police first, and they will act as interpreters between you and the regular police.

Some unscrupulous taxi drivers will try to charge you extortionate rates from the airports to the city centers. Always make sure the meter is running or pre-negotiate and agree on the price before you get in.

This article was first published Mar 1, 2022 and updated Mar 6, 2024.

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Premium Greece

8 days | see the most iconic sights of greece from athens to olympia, then get an inside look into local life.

Much like the delicious baklava, modern-day Greece is layered with history so rich and complex that the only way to do it justice is to see it for yourself. Explore the country with a knowledgeable local leader from Athens to Delphi and Olympia. Learn how the hanging monasteries of Meteora protected modern Hellenic culture from invading Turks, then trace a path through the ruins in Delphi. Visit the site of the world’s first Olympics, stop in at the quiet seaside villages of Nafplion and discover the secrets behind Greek honey and ouzo on a whirlwind adventure from ancient sites to local homes.

Trip overview

Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service

All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium

Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders

• Step back in time as you travel with your local leader to the Athens Acropolis, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Prodromos monastery, where you’ll enjoy a coffee with a local monk during a Premium Exclusive Experience.
• Visit monasteries and the ancient rock pinnacles of Meteora and learn about the natural and cultural history of one of Greece's most extraordinary sights.
• Experience the romantic side of Greece when you stay in a gorgeous and traditionally decorated stone mansion in the medieval village of Dimitsana – your Feature Stay for this trip.
• Visit the legendary theatres of the very first Olympic Games – the stadium, gymnasium, wrestling school, priest houses, temples and hippodrome.
• Get an insider’s look at Greek produce during an Exclusive Experience. Visit a family of beekeepers in Itea to learn about the craft and taste honey fresh from the hive.
• By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Amurtel, who provide a safe space for refugee women and children in Greece. Donations help them provide antenatal and postnatal care programs run by qualified midwives.
• Pickpocketing can be an issue in Athens, especially on public transport. If you keep your valuables concealed and secure while travelling on the metro or bus, you should have no problems.
• Summer temperatures in Greece can reach up to 40°C, so you will need to be able to cope with the heat if you're visiting during the warmer months. Please consider the time of year and your suitability to visiting during that season.

Kalimera! Welcome to Greece. Your journey begins in Athens, Greece's storied capital. You’ll be collected from the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Then, you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to do and see, as you’re in one of the world's oldest cities! Maybe visit the Archaeological Museum of Athens to brush up on some history or go in search of the best souvlaki. After your meeting, head out for dinner with your group at one of Athens’ local restaurants and maybe toast the beginning of the adventure with a glass of raki or ouzo.

• Hotel The Athenian Callirhoe or similar (1 night)
• Athens - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
• Complimentary Arrival Transfer

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where and when the meeting will take place.

Today, you’ll get to know ancient Athens during visits to two of the city’s most famous sites. Your leader will bring history to life as you visit Temple of Olympian Zeus – the largest temple in all of Greece. Then, it’s on to the famous Acropolis – one of the Western world’s most important historical structures. Meet with an expert local guide who will provide profound insight into the history and legacy of the civilisations who lived in this ancient citadel. Start with an ascent to the top via the towering entrance, the Propylaia. When inside, you’ll see the Parthenon – the greatest Doric temple in the ancient world. Later in the afternoon, drive north to the town of Kalambaka, which sits at the base of the Meteora Mountains. This evening, you can choose to have dinner at the hotel or perhaps take a short walk into town and dine at one of the local tavernas.

• Hotel Grand Meteora or similar (1 night)
• Athens - Acropolis Archaeological Site Visit with Local Guide
• Athens - Visit to the Temple of Olympian Zeus

Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.

After breakfast, travel into the hills for a walk through the incredible monasteries of Meteora. The ancient stone buildings, which sit precariously on soaring cliffs, make these mountains one of Greece's most extraordinary natural and cultural sites. Settlement of the area dates back to the 11th century, when hermit monks first settled in the hidden caverns of Meteora. Begin your hike at the nearby Kastraki village, see the ruins of the Pantokrator monastery, cross a lush forest and walk through the huge rocks of Meteora with your leader by your side to guide you and answer questions on the landscape and the history behind it. You’ll have the opportunity to visit several the monasteries, one of which will be the Moni Varlaam (Varlaam Monastery). You’ll then return to Kalambaka in the afternoon.

• Meteora - Hike & Monastery Visits with Local Guide

Have breakfast before travelling to Delphi this morning. When you arrive, visit the Sanctuary of Apollo in Ancient Delphi, home to the Delphi Oracle. Legend has it that Zeus released two eagles from different ends of the world, and Delphi was where they came together. Zeus then threw a Sacred Stone at this same point, making Delphi the centre of the world. Walk through the complex and explore the Temple of Apollo – the most important building of the site. This is where statues and offerings to the gods were housed, and where cult rituals took place. You’ll also see the Sanctuary of Athena, the 4th-century BC theatre and the well-preserved stadium. There will also be time to visit the Delphi Museum if you wish. Continue to your overnight stop in the small coastal town of Itea.

• Nafsika Palace Hotel or similar (1 night)
• Delphi - Oracle, Temple of Apollo & Sanctuary of Athena
• Delphi - Archaeological Site Visit with Local Guide
• Itea - Beekeeping Experience & Honey Tasting

This morning, visit a family of local beekeepers to learn about honey production, see the beehives and of course taste some of the delicious local honey. Next, drive on to the archaeological site of ancient Olympia. Stop at the village of Galaxidi or Nafpaktos along the way for a visit to a traditional family-owned bakery offering stuffed pastries and famous sesame round bread. Olympia is a complex that once comprised temples and public buildings and was the site of the first Olympic Games. When you arrive, tour leader will show you the main stadium, gymnasium, wrestling school, priest houses, Temple of Hera, Temple of Zeus and the hippodrome. Continue to the medieval village of Dimitsana – home to your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights. Sitting at the base of the Arcadian mountains is the romantic stone guesthouse of En Dimitsani. Traditionally decorated rooms feature modern comforts, cosy fireplaces and panoramic balconies.

• Guesthouse En Dimitsani (Feature stay) or similar (1 night)
• Olympia - Archaeological Site Visit with Local Guide

Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.

Today, join your leader for an exploration of the central part of the Peloponnese peninsula and the spectacular Lousios Valley. Walk deep into the valley to the incredible working monastery of Prodromos. This wood and clay structure has stellar views over the valley below and was built into a rock face. Get a look into the lives of the local monks as they show you around their home and offer you a coffee or the local specialty, the Greek delight. See the splendid 14th-century frescoes decorating the rock walls inside the chapel. Then, visit the tenth-century Byzantine monastery of Philosophou. Learn how this monastery was the base for a secret school known as 'Kryfo Scholio', which was run by monks during Ottoman rule to teach Greek children their own language and religion. Later, visit the medieval villages of Stemnitsa, Karitena or Andritsena. Return to Dimitsana for the night.

• Central Arcadia - Lousios Valley Hike
• Central Arcadia - Prodromos Monastery Visit with Coffee & Greek Delight

Your walking time today will be approximately 3 hours or 7 km.

The roads in Central Arcadia are very windy. You might want to consider taking medication if you are prone to motion sickness.

This morning, drive to the seaside town of Nafplion (Nafplio) – the original Greek capital. Stop in for a tasting of Greece’s most celebrated drink – ouzo. A taste of this anise-infused alcohol will take you straight to the heart of Greek culture. Chat to the experts and learn how Greece’s national drink is made, then take some time to explore Nafplion at your own pace. Maybe head to one of the town's three fortresses, or the seaside promenade. Later, continue to ancient Epidaurus (Epidavros) – the most famous healing centre of the Greek and Roman world. The highlight of Epidaurus is the third-century theatre, one of Greece's best-preserved classical structures. The theatre has incredible acoustics and is still used today for major performances. Later, return to Athens for a free afternoon.

• Epidaurus - Guided Tour
• Nafplion - Ouzo Tasting

Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Your journey comes to an end in Athens after breakfast. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead or time to organise additional accommodation.

7 breakfasts, 2 dinners

Private vehicle

Comfortable hotel (5 nights), feature stay (2 nights)

• Arrival airport transfer
• Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
• Luggage transfer
• Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
• 24/7 on-ground support

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel. 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. There are a limited number of single supplements available per trip departure. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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HANDPICKED GREECE TOURS

From exploring the sun-kissed temples and time-worn towns of its mainland, to the history of its romantic islands, no two tours to this popular destination are the same. While in Greece, take full advantage of the array of tastes on offer. Think crumbling feta, briny olives, moussaka and ouzo-steamed mussels. There's more to travel than simply visiting new places – join us for experiences that spark your curiosity and take you beyond traditional sightseeing.

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This Gorgeous Region in Greece Is Where the Greeks Go on Vacation — With Magical Blue Water, Friendly Villages, and Local Food

Take the ultimate road trip unveiling Greece’s best kept secrets.

Thessaloniki

Sithonia peninsula, mount athos.

Sucheta Rawal/Travel + Leisure

If you feel outpriced for a vacation in the Greek Islands, you're not entirely out of luck — there’s a lesser-known alternative to experiencing the same magical blue waters, friendly village vibe, and fresh Greek food.

Greek-Macedonia, the country's northern region, offers a broader variety of experiences for history buffs, beach lovers, and road-trippers, and still has an ancient history that compares to Athens, dramatic coastlines similar to the Greek Isles, some of the most extensive spans of green olive groves in the world, and the country’s most spiritual sites — all within a few miles from each other.

Northern Greece is also easier and more affordable to navigate independently than elsewhere in the country. Rent a car or hop on a public bus; stay at a beachfront bungalow, a village guesthouse, or camp at a beach or inside a forested national park.

With milder climates, fewer crowds, and great prices (including many free attractions), it is no surprise that this is where the Greeks themselves prefer to go for their summer breaks and long weekends.

Top 5 Can’t Miss

• Grab a drink, listen to live music, enjoy the nightlife, and people-watch in the vibrant Ladadika district of Thessaloniki.
• Visit King Phillip II’s gleaming royal tomb, complete with delicate artifacts, discovered in the lost city of Aigai after 2,000 years.
• Take a day cruise to the Athos Peninsula and admire the remote architecture of 1,000-year-old monasteries. The autonomous region is considered the spiritual center of Orthodox Greeks and is not easily accessible to travelers.  
• Book a dinner at Hierion Restaurant at Athena Pallas Resort. You will feel like a Byzantine emperor as you taste a medieval menu with Mt. Athos paired wines inside a space replicating a portico of a Byzantine monastery. 
• Take a scenic drive from the mountain town of Litochoro through winding roads overlooking the sea and mountains into Mt. Olympus National Park.

Sucheta Rawal/Travel + Leisure

Start your trip in Thessaloniki — Greece’s second largest city and trade junction, with a major airport and seaport along the Thermaic Gulf of the Aegean Sea. Named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Thessaloniki is where some of Greece’s best chefs experiment with traditional flavors and modern cooking techniques. Locals, known as Hellenes, will tell you this is where the Greek coffee culture originated. A common sight is friends and families lingering for hours at al fresco coffee shops, discussing everything from world affairs to office gossip over cigarettes and bitter coffee.

Visitors often overlook the modern European economic hub, but it offers many historical sites, quality restaurants, bustling nightlife, and plenty of shopping at a fraction of the prices compared to other well-known parts of Greece. The city’s extensive makeup of working professionals and university students provides a nonstop street party atmosphere. It is common to find otherwise quiet neighborhood streets and abandoned buildings transformed into temporary live music venues (without the high-priced cover charges) thumping beats until after midnight. Stay away from the crowds at the artfully-decorated Elisabeth Boutique Hotel , located in a historic building.

It's easy to explore the 2,300-year-old city on foot, uncovering layers of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman history, especially around Ano Poli, the upper town. Among 15 Byzantine UNESCO monuments in the area, you can visit the catacombs at the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist near the sixth-century Hagia Sophia, the seventh-century Church of Hagios Demetrios, Aristotelous Square, the Archaeological Museum, Byzantine Museum, and White Tower Museum. In the evening, walk along Aristotelous Square and the bustling waterfront, where it feels as though the entire city is out running, walking, watching street performances, and enjoying happy hours around the lively areas.

For dinner, there are hundreds of traditional Greek, international, and even vegan restaurants along the narrow alleys of Old Town and Ladadika districts. Try Frutti de Mare for seafood, Roots for vegan Mediterranean, and Oval Bistronomy for modern Greek with a view of the tower. 

Drive about 45 miles west from Thessaloniki to Vergina to see one of the best-preserved moments in archeological history. From the outside, the grassy mound may not look like much, but once you go underground, your eyes will adjust to the bright gold objects stored in a dark and cool museum.

Here, you can see a glorious, shiny tomb of King Philip II, father of Alexander the Great, who died in 336 BC. The Museum of the Royal Tombs of Aigai, constructed by the Kingdom of Macedon at Aigai, was only identified in 1977, and the museum was completed in 1997. Inside, you can see silver and bronze vessels, carved ivory, gold armor, delicate jewelry, weapons, shields, and the king’s bones in the Golden Larnax. Entry tickets are half-price between November and March.

To continue on the trail of Alexander the Great, you can also visit nearby Polycentric Museum of Aigai in the restored part of Macedon’s  Royal Palace , which, in its day, was three times bigger than the  Parthenon .

Head further south to the region of Pieria, a quaint weekend mountain escape outside the big city of Thessaloniki. Many Greeks, Bulgarians, Serbians, and Albanians drive to the area for active adventures, fresh air, and quiet retreats. Litochoro is a charming 14th-century traditional village at the foothills of the mythical Mount Olympus, offering stunning views of the sea and the mountains.

Stroll around the cobblestone streets, and you will find adorable Macedonian-style houses decorated with rose, olive, and fig trees, rustic stone chapels, and a dozen tourist shops selling local wine, honey, herbs, and traditional sweets. A romantic dinner for two, including a bottle of Greek wine at one of the nicer restaurants — Hairi Green and Μεζέ Μεζέ — costs less than $30. Join local residents at one of the many taverna and ouzo bars to watch a game and spark a conversation.

Take the scenic 30-minute route from Litochoro village to Olympus National Park, the first national park in Greece established in 1938. Windy roads will bring you through 11,000 acres of alpine vegetation, including oak, black pine, beech, and white pine, to a monastery in Mount Olympus's heart. Visit the open-air Monastery of St. Dionysios, destroyed during World War II, and take a short hike along the icy Enippeas River to the holy caves.

Mount Olympus is a sacred place for Greeks and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for its diversity of flora and fauna. You can book a day-long guided hiking, mountain climbing, or canyoning tour, or for a more leisurely pace, take the trail from the village to see the spanning gorge and Enipeas waterfalls.

In the afternoon, drive a few minutes south of Litochoro to the beach town of Plaka, where you can take a relaxing swim in the glistening blue waters, have drinks and snacks at an old train tunnel transformed into Galleria Café, or take in panoramic views from the Castle of Platamon.

Head east of Thessaloniki toward three legs of the Halkidi peninsula. Each has a different vibe, focusing on hiking, beaches, and religion. The middle — and the largest peninsula in northern Greece — is Sithonia, which resembles the Greek Isles without the whitewash. Instead, you will find red terracotta rooftops, quiet hamlets, and expansive hills filled with Cyprus and olive trees. Greek vacationers prefer to sprawl around laidback villages dotted with 100 or so Blue Flag-recognized Aegean beaches boasting milder climates and pristine beaches. In Vourvourou, teenagers and families rent small self-piloted boats and move the day-long party to the crystal clear water.

As you circumvent the 26-mile-long panoramic drive along the coastline, stop at ancient settlements, olive-tasting rooms, and beachside cafes. Make time for the old village of Nikiti, Neos Marmaras, the ancient ruins of Toroni castle, and the village and beach of Agios Nikolaos. Climb to the top of Mount Itamos for a coffee and panoramic peninsula views. Sithonia is dotted with affordable Greek restaurants where you can drink tsipouro and eat fresh-caught seafood with your feet still in the sand.

Catering to all types of travelers, the Sithonia Peninsula offers accommodations for as low as $50 per night, ranging from campgrounds and apartments to beachfront villas and luxury resorts. To experience part of the Byzantine era, stay at the family-owned and operated Athena Pallas Resort , where the food and architecture are inspired by Mt. Athos monasteries. Taste different aspects of Greek culinary history at one of the onsite restaurants and get access to the famous Elia beach.

Mount Athos is the third peninsula of Halkidiki, also known as the Vatican of Greece. There are 12 fully autonomous 1,000-year-old Byzantine monasteries currently operational on the peninsula. While the holy mountain is visible from many spots in Greek Macedonia, it is not easily accessible. Male pilgrims must apply for limited permits to enter the sacred Mount Athos region, while women are not allowed to enter.

From the water, anyone can enjoy the pristine natural beauty and grandeur of the monasteries' architecture. Drive to the village of Ouranoupolis and embark on a three-hour cruise with Athos Sea Cruises to sail along the peninsula. From your boat, you can see many of the Monasteries of Mount Athos, with their large campus and remote locations nestled amidst the lush mountains.

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What people love about 10 Day Greece Tours

It was the first time my family of 4 travelled to Greece and we were looking for an immersive cultural experience. The Grand Classical Tour Of Greece plus Mani and Monemvasia organized by Epos Travel & Tours was a truly unforgettable tour, offering a deep dive into Greek culture, history, mythology, nature and culinary delights. I am a nervous passenger but our amazing driver Anastasios made me feel safe and comfortable. Our knowledgeable guide George, provided us with fascinating insights into Greek history and mythology. We visited iconic landmarks such as the Palace of Mycenae, the Temple of Zeus, the Tomb of Phillip II, and explored ancient ruins that brought the stories of the past to life. My personal highlights also included our stay and swim at Monemvasia castle and visit to Meteora Monasteries. These gems provided breathtaking views of surrounding landscapes and incredible sunsets. The private tour allowed for a more intimate and personalised experience with accommodation in prime locations and delicious traditional meals accompanied by local beer and wines. George was caring and went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience - he even organized the recovery of wines and souvenirs we had forgotten at Monomvasia! By the end of the trip George and Anastasios felt like family ❤️ I highly recommend this 10-day epic tour with Epos Travel for anyone wanting to discover the wonders of Greece!

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Our tour of Greece was very good and we would recommend TourRadar to anyone. We only have two complaints. Our tour guide, George, was very knowledgeable and we liked him. But he couldn't resist bringing up politics. We were on vacation and frankly didn't care what George thought of US politics, homosexuality, or climate change. We were happy with all of the hotels you selected, but the Breeze Boutique in Athens wasn't near anything, requiring us to take a taxi to get to restaurants/shopping.

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Tourists keep disappearing in Greece. Scientists think they know why

• Published: Jun. 24, 2024, 5:00 a.m.

A man holds an umbrella as he and other tourists enter the ancient Acropolis hill during a heat wave, in Athens, Greece. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris, File) AP

• EmilyAnn Jackman | [email protected]

Tourists just keep disappearing in Greece and no one knows exactly why that is.

But scientists have a working theory.

After hiking in scorching temperatures on the Greek island of Symi, doctor and well-known TV presenter Michael Mosley was discovered dead earlier this month . But his wasn’t the only life that was lost, as a series of tourist deaths and disappearances have reportedly hit Greece as the country faces its early summer heat wave with temperatures soaring above 104 degrees.

Joining the dead are a Dutch tourist who was found on the island of Samos recently, and an American tourist who was found on Mathraki , a small island west of Corfu on Sunday. Regarding those who went missing, American tourist Albert Calibet hasn’t been seen since he went for hike on June 11 on Amorgos, while two French women vanished on Sikinos after they went out for a walk.

Even though the bodies of those who died are to be examined to establish a cause of death, there’s a stern warning from authorities to take the searing temperatures seriously.

“There is a common pattern,” Petros Vassilakis, the police spokesman for the Southern Aegean, told Reuters. “They all went for a hike amid high temperatures.”

To some scientists, what’s happening in Greece provides a warning sign about the impacts of what extreme heat can do to the body and the brain, in particular. Extreme heat can cause confusion which affects the individuals decision-making abilities and how they may take risks.

Could this mean more deaths and disappearances during severe heat waves?

According to Damian Bailey, a physiology and biochemistry professor at the University of South Wales told CNN , the “brain” is the “master switch” for the body.

“The brain, for me, is the key to it all,” he said.

The brain regulates the body’s temperature where the hypothalamus, a small diamond-like structure, acts as a thermostat. Its job is to keep the body’s internal temperature at or very close to 37 degrees Celsius, or 98.6 Fahrenheit. In hot weather, the hypothalamus activates the sweat glands, widening the blood vessels to cool down the body. But in extreme heat, the heat can drain the body’s fluids and halt blood flow to the brain, according to Bailey.

He even compared the brain to a Hummer, concluding that the organ needs vast resources to function.

One test he ran on research participants in an environmental chamber, where he raised the temperatures from around 70 to 104 Fahrenheit, showed a significant drop by about 9% to 10% in blood flow to the brain.

“That is a big deal in terms of not getting enough fuel into an engine which is running at high end all of the time,” Bailey said to CNN.

Kim Meidenbauer, a neuroscientist at Washington State University, also told CNN that extreme heat can stop the brain from functioning properly.

Activities that we take for granted such as thinking, reasoning and remembering can get “thrown out of whack,” she added.

It also gets harder to make complex decisions and there’s also evidence suggesting people being more likely to make risky decisions and engage in impulsive behavior when exposed to heat.

“You’re not just talking about potentially getting a little bit too warm and maybe having a sunburn,” Meidenbauer said to CNN. “You’re talking about potentially life-threatening (situations), like making poor decisions, having your judgement clouded.”

Scientists are in the beginning stages of decoding the range of impacts heat has on the brain.

“Our understanding is really pretty minimal. It’s a major unknown at this point,” Meidenbauer added.

Older people, especially those over the age of 65, are high at risk due to their bodies not always thermoregulating well.

After all, the people who disappeared in Greece were all in their mid-50s and older.

Additionally, very young children and pregnant women also face an elevated risk, as well as those with pre-existing medical conditions, including mental health conditions.

But it’s important to remember that heat can be dangerous for anyone.

“No one is immune to the health effects of heat,” Jose Guillermo Cedeño Laurent, one of the research authors and an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, added. “Our brain is an exquisitely sensitive organ,” he said.

“You make wrong decisions and it can cost you your life.”

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How Greece is going to war on cruise ships

L ured by glorious beaches, world-class archaeological sites and comforting cuisine, some 33 million people visited Greece in 2023, around five million more than in 2022. According to the Greek National TourisM Organisation (GNTO), 2023 was also a landmark year for cruising in Greece, with seven million passengers visiting the country aboard 5,230 cruise ships, compared to 4.38 million passengers and 4,614 cruise ships in 2022. 

In an unprecedented step last month, however, the Greek ombudsman, an independent organisation created to combat maladministration and ensure the effective exercise of citizen’s rights, stressed the need to regulate tourism in a sustainable way, saying Greece must not “exhaust its potential, wasting it and making our tourist destinations unattractive over time”. 

Reacting to the statement last week, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowed to put a cap on cruise tourism – an industry that some say is being used as a scapegoat for wider issues of overtourism – by limiting the number of berths available to ships via a bidding process that vessels would need to use in order to secure the slots. Unlike Amsterdam, Venice and Barcelona, where restrictions have already been implemented, Greece has yet to introduce a daily limit on cruises to the country’s most popular destinations, but there are fears that capping the number of ships could have a negative effect on the tourist industry which accounts for a quarter of Greece’s economy.

With approximately 1.5m passengers in 2023, Piraeus, the port for Athens, tops the list of popular cruise destinations in Greece, followed by Santorini with 1.3m and Mykonos with almost 1.2m.

In Santorini, where overtourism has angered many locals , Kathrin of tour company Santorini Experts doesn’t agree that cruises are to blame for the island’s chronic overcrowding. She says: “I really don’t like the term ‘overtourism’ – it feels like we’re only calling it that because of the chaos that ensues when there are lots of cruise ships visiting at once. If we just had a different port that didn’t require cruise ship passengers to go through the whole tendering and cable car process, I believe half of our problems would vanish.”

Santorini-based hotelier Daniel Kerzner disagrees, however. “The influx of large cruise ships strains the infrastructure, congests and deteriorates the experience for all travellers and provides little value to the island… the current move to restrict cruises is essential to protecting our island paradise,” says the owner of Santorini Sky, a luxury hotel in the mountain village of Pyrgos, far from the volcanic caldera where most hotels are situated.

Business owners on the island are also angry at the lack of revenue that cruise tourism brings. “They have everything on board – even souvenir shops – so they come here and just walk around and then go back to their boat without buying anything,” says Maria Dimitirou, who owns a gift shop in Oia. 

Dr Lauren Siegel, senior lecturer in tourism and events management at the University of Greenwich agrees: “Cruises bring a huge amount of passengers to a port for a limited duration of hours. It’s often not long enough to have a meaningful experience or make an impactful economic contribution in any given place. I do understand the ease and convenience for those who want to take cruises, but this model only works if the host community also benefits. Unfortunately, many of the ports of call in Greece have become tourist enclaves with nothing left for the locals.”

Although Piraeus, Santorini , Mykonos and Rhodes are the main cruise destinations in Greece today, a growing number of passengers are choosing to explore further afield.

CEO of Greek company Variety Cruises, Filippos Venetopoulos says that by using smaller ships that carry fewer passengers his company can be more versatile and offer a different – and far more authentic – experience. “Variety Cruises specialises in small boat cruises offering our clients the chance to enjoy a range of different island stopovers in the Cyclades and in the Ionian and Aegean Seas. We value the environment and do our utmost to limit our impact whilst investing in projects that help minimise overtourism,” he says.

Hitherto less visited islands including Serifos and Lefkada are complaining of the strain on the sustainability of resources prompted by a sudden uptick in visitor numbers since the Covid pandemic, however. 

Pollution, too, is a problem on islands visited by a large number of cruise ships. Recent tests by the Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS) and air pollution experts from Germany’s Nature and Biodiversity Union (NABU) have revealed spikes in ultrafine particles, carcinogenic compounds and soot in the air near Greek islands that are popular cruising destinations. “The real problem is not the total number of tourists. The problem is that most tourists are concentrated in the typical tourist areas we all know. There needs to be a plan to promote other areas in Greece,” says Mike Kapsilis who works for a tour company on Chios, an island in the north Aegean which is rarely visited by the larger cruise ships. 

Dimitris Stavrakopoulos, director of Hermoupolis Heritage, a not-for-profit company based on the Cyclades island of Syros which aims to protect the island’s cultural heritage, believes that the problem lies with the way that cruise tourism is managed. “Cruise tourism would have great potential here in Syros, as long as the visitor is encouraged to get a taste of the local culture. The ultimate goal of the island’s tourism development should be based on a philosophy of preserving the cultural heritage and thus turning it into a tourist product that will bring livelihood to the local community,” he says.

In a recent report, the GNTO, which estimates that Greece will welcome more than 36 million passengers by 2026, says that “sustainability and social responsibility are pivotal to the global cruise industry”.

UK expert Dr Lauren Siegel agrees that there could be a positive future for cruise tourism if it’s properly regulated. “Although research has shown us cruise passengers tend to be less motivated by cultural curiosity in favour of budget or convenience, I do think that cruise tourism can be more sustainable if there are limitations to the size and scope of the ships,” she says. 

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Greece official retires after allegations she stole from town for home renovations

Michelle Marini has resigned from her position at the Town of Greece amid charges of corruption , grand larceny and official misconduct.

Marini retired on Monday, Town Supervisor Bill Reilich said in a press release. On Tuesday, a grand jury handed up an indictment against Marini that includes felony charges over allegations Marini stole town resources for personal home improvement projects.

The unsealed indictment listed stolen "goods and services in relation to work performed at" three addresses: Marini's former home in Greece and two addresses that belong to family members.

In a press release Tuesday, the Monroe County District Attorney's Office said the grand larceny charges stemmed from Marini's involvement with the construction of a community and senior center in Greece.

Marini served as deputy town supervisor ― Reilich's second in command ― for nearly a decade, from 2014 through December 2023. She moved to Webster at the end of last year and was hired as the director of constituent services for Greece.

More: Battleground in Greece: When controversy drives a small NY town, how do you move forward?

Marini is also accused of using a GPS tracker on a Greece town resident. The charges do not name the resident or provide detail of those allegations, but two individuals claim to have found tracking devices attached to their personal cars this year.

One of them is Ryan Murphy, a town resident who created a Facebook page that questions the ethics and workings of Greece officials. Murphy was investigating how funding for the community center was spent when he said he found a discreet GPS tracker tucked under his truck earlier this spring.

An attorney for Marini, Joe Damelio, declined to comment Tuesday.

More: A Batmobile replica, Hot Rod Ranch: What's behind allegations in Reilich, Greece lawsuit

The criminal charges against Marini come while the town is also challenging a series of federal lawsuits against Greece officials. One claims Reilich forced a former town employee to work thousands of hours of unpaid overtime on private work for him and Marini. The town also faces lawsuits from former police officials who claim they were targeted in the aftermath of the 2021 drunken driving conviction of former Greece Police Chief Drew Forsythe .

The town has maintained that the claims are manufactured to cover up workplace issues.

In a press release Wednesday Reilich said the town "has and will" cooperate with the DA's investigation into charges against Marini.

More from Tuesday: Former Greece deputy town supervisor charged with corruption and grand larceny

— Includes reporting by D&C reporter Gary Craig.

—  Kayla Canne  reports on community justice and safety efforts for the Democrat and Chronicle.  Follow her on Twitter  @kaylacanne   and  @bykaylacanne  on Instagram.   Get in touch at  [email protected] .