Greek Islands, Vacation

Welcome to Athens, the gateway to the islands and the cradle of Western Civilization. At the airport you will be met by a private transfer that will take you into the center of the ancient city, where you can breathe in the history that has inspired people, countries, and the world alike. Acropolis hill rises over the city at its core, literally and figuratively, once that actual center of history. Wander along the foothill of the Acropolis and enjoy a taste of the islands to come with a visit to the neighborhood of Anafiotika, a stunning area of whitewashed homes that climb up the slope of the hill. The neighborhood was built in the 19th century by villagers brought from the Cyclades to give them a reminder of home. The narrow paths are nothing less than charming, as bougainvillea give a burst of color to the immaculate walls. The sweet aroma of flaky filo filled with rich cheese drifts from a tiny restaurant along the stairway, welcoming you inside and into Greece.

What’s Included: transfer, accommodation

Day 2: Historic Possibilities

The wonder of the Athens is at your beckon call this morning on a guided tour of the ancient and modern history of the city that encompasses all of Greece. An overview of Athenian past has you exploring the grand collection in the New Acropolis Museum. The third floor is dedicated to the Parthenon with a panoramic view of the temple on top of the hill. On the first floor you will walk past archaeological treasures guarded by a rail but open for everyone to see just how shallow anyone can dig within the borders of Athens to find remains of the old city. The magnificent display of statues within the foyer not only allows you a sense of the importance of art amongst the Greeks but also shows the attention to detail even with chiseling a person’s beard out of stone, for which each strand of hair looks accounted.

Atop Acropolis Hill is the imposing entryway known as the Propylaea. The thick and massive pillars continue to give the proud and important air to the citadel. The scent of earth and history surrounds you, from the marble of the columns to the marble paved floor, the air swirls with passionate antiquity. Within the confines of the Acropolis you can see the stunning Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. The celebrated structure has been revered for millennia, for its perfect construction to its richly carved metopes and pediments, displaying the myths of Athens and gods alike. It is not hard to understand why this particular temple is considered the symbol for the Golden Age of Athens, which stands before you like a treasure.

What’s Included: breakfast, accommodation, tour

Day 3: Island Promises

The desire for an island getaway can never be satisfied until you experience the incredible shores of the Greek Isles. Today you will make your way by hydrofoil to the marveled island of Mykonos. You almost have to prepare yourself for the unparalleled beaches, pristine waters, and charming streets yet to come. The pillars of ancient Athens fade from view. The turquoise waters of the Mediterranean reach into the horizon. Disembark at the port of Mykonos where you can see five immaculate windmills on a wing of the island. The wheels spin slowly in the cool breeze of the late afternoon. The waves brush against the shores. You can see the colorful walls of Little Venice, a short group of connected buildings that linger above the waves. The sweet scent of the sea lifts into the breeze. There is no mistaking it, the sands are close and you have arrived.