Cyclades Highlights
8 Days Starting and ending in Athens, Greece
Visiting: Athens, Milos, Santorini
Tour operator:
Tour code:
300
Specialist Group:
Singles Solo
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
8-95
Special diets catered:
Please advise request
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Cyclades Highlights" tour and immerse yourself in the enchanting beauty of Greece. Begin your journey in Athens with a captivating city tour, exploring iconic landmarks like the Acropolis and Parthenon. Then, set sail to the stunning islands of Milos and Santorini, where you’ll have ample free time to discover their unique charm. Wander through Milos, known for its vibrant colors and picturesque landscapes, and experience the breathtaking views of Santorini's whitewashed architecture against the azure sea. Enjoy comfortable stays in 4-star and boutique hotels, with seamless transport and ferry crossings included. This active tour offers a perfect blend of guided exploration and personal adventure, ensuring an unforgettable Greek island experience. Please note that ferry schedules may vary, and some attractions may close during winter months.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Your Greek adventure begins
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Athens hotel
Once you arrive in Athens, you will be picked up, transferred and dropped off at your hotel - the hotel is set in the heart of the city centre and ensures a comfortable stay. The rest of the day is yours free to explore the area or take in the impressive vista of the Parthenon from the hotel's restaurant or simply sit back and relax after a long flight.
Day 2 : Exploring Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Athens hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The Athens city tour kicks off from the Panathenaic Stadium - an iconic structure that held the first Olympic Games of modern times in 1896. The tour continues to tick off the Temple of Olympian Zeus - the memorial to the Unknown Soldier, the Parliament, Hadrian's Arch, the University, the Academy, the Constitution Square (Syntagma) and the National Library. Stopping off at the Acropolis, your guide will inform you of the ancient building's history and the significance of the Parthenon. Here, you can enjoy beautiful views over the historical metropolis. After spending the day exploring Athens, you will return to your hotel and relax for the rest of the evening.
Day 3 : Athens to Milos
Location: Milos
Accommodation Name: Milos hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we have an early start as we depart for the island of Milos that's situated in the Aegean Sea, located north of the Sea of Crete. Part of the Cyclades group of islands - this unique horseshoe-shaped destination is often referred to as 'the island of colours' given its surrounding emerald waters and pastel-painted buildings. You will be taken to your 4-star hotel and get the chance to find an idyllic spot to watch the sun sink behind the shimmering sea.
Day 4 : Free time to explore Milos
Location: Milos
Accommodation Name: Milos hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The day is yours free to venture around the island or join the optional photography safari tour. Milos has many picture-perfect wonders to be found - we recommend seeking out the ancient theatre, the windmills in the Tripti village and the vast collection of sandy and pebbled beaches. Your guide will also take you to the iconic volcanic cave of Papafragas and the lunar landscape of Sarakiniko - the point where volcanic white stone meets the sunlight. In the evening, we'll take you to the cobbled streets of a nearby village, enjoying a seafood feast under the stars.
Day 5 : Milos to Santorini
Location: Santorini
Accommodation Name: Santorini hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
We say goodbye to Milos as we hop in a ferry to the equally enchanting island of Santorini - this bucket list location is sure to impress with its soaring mountain of white houses projecting out over the sea. Today we'll also visit the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the old port and the Archeological Museum. Those looking for the best place to view the sunset should visit Oia - a small coastal town where crowds gather to cheer as the sky changes from vivid shades of orange and pink to dark velvet.
Day 6 : Exploring Santorini
Location: Santorini
Accommodation Name: Santorini hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
If you want to get closer to the world's biggest volcanic crater above sea level, then take the optional to this impressive sight - the volcano is still active and you can swim in the steamy thermal waters and take a therapeutic mud bath. If you are keen on participating in more activities, be sure to visit the microbreweries, wine caverns, cooking schools and the open-air cinema.
Day 7 : Back to Athens
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: Athens hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving Santorini behind, this tour will return to the mainland and drive you to the port for your ferry to Athens. Once in Athens, you will be dropped at your hotel and have another day free to explore.
Day 8 : Tour ends
Location: Athens
Accommodation Name: If you have some free time before your flight, feel free to do some last-minute shopping.<STRONG>OVERNIGHT: </STRONG> <STRONG>MEALS: </STRONG> Breakfast<STRONG>EXTRAS: </STRONG> Extra day in Athens - post-tour
Meals Included: Breakfast
If you have some free time before your flight, feel free to do some last-minute shopping.
What's Included
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Accommodation
All accommodation as stated in the itinerary in approximately 4-star level hotels.
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Transport and Transfers
All transport and transfers are included.
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Ferry Crossings
Greek island ferry crossings as per itinerary are included.
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Port Transfers
Port-hotel-port transfers on Greek islands are included.
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Airport Transfers
24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service is included.
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Tour Guide Services
Services of a professional local tour guide for mainland tours are included.
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Tour Leader Services
Services of a local tour leader on the islands are included.
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Tipping Kitty
A tipping kitty is included.
What's Not Included
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International Flights
International flights are not included but are available on request.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory and not included, but available on request.
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Single Room Supplements
Single room supplements are chargeable if a same-sex room share is not available.
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Meals Not Indicated
Meals not indicated in the itinerary are not included.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees to sites visited are not included.
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Hotel Residence Tax
Hotel residence tax is not included.
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Personal Expenses
Drinks, snacks, and other personal expenses (e.g., laundry) are not included.
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Tips for Guide and Driver
Tips for guide and driver are not included.
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Port Fees
Port fees are not included.
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Optional Tours
Optional tours are not included.
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Other Items
Any other items not mentioned above are not included.
More Info
This adventurous eight-day tour begins and ends in Athens - covering some of Greece's most picturesque sights. The Greece tour starts with a comprehensive guided tour of Athens featuring historical landmarks and monuments such as the Acropolis and its Parthenon - a former temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their patron - and many more. Next, we head to the volcanic island of Milos, with its glistening waters and pristine beaches. From Milos, we make our way to the island of Santorini - renowned for its rows of whitewashed houses and blue-capped churches built into the cliffside.
Mode of Transport
Travel between destinations in air-conditioned cars or minibuses and ferries. Note that ferry schedules may change due to weather, affecting the itinerary.
Accommodation
Stay in 4-star and boutique hotels throughout your journey, ensuring comfort and style as you explore the stunning Greek islands.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the Cyclades Highlights tour?
The tour provides accommodation in 4-star and boutique hotels.
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What happens if the ferry schedules change or are canceled during the tour?
The itinerary may need to be adjusted if ferry schedules change or are canceled due to poor weather conditions. This could result in spending more or less time in one location than originally planned.
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Is Santorini a good destination to visit all year round?
Yes, Santorini is an all-year-round destination and remains attractive and interesting regardless of the time of year. However, some hotels, shops, restaurants, and attractions may close during the winter months from November to March.
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What kind of transport is used during the tour?
The tour uses air-conditioned cars or minibuses and ferries for transportation.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional activities such as a photography safari tour in Milos and visiting the volcanic crater in Santorini.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
