Mainland Greece, Crete, and Santorini

Departure from Montreal to Athens on Air Transat, in economy class.

Arrival at Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, meet and greet, and transfer to your hotel in Athens. Free time to relax or explore on your own. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Departure for the impressive and surreal UNESCO-listed site of Meteora. In this incredible setting, massive, sheer granite formations—looking as if they had "fallen from the sky"—dot the landscape. Monks built their monasteries atop these peaks to live closer to God. Visit two monasteries to discover their way of life. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in the Meteora region.

After breakfast, we head south again. We visit the UNESCO-listed site of Delphi, situated at the foot of Mount Parnassus, including the Sanctuary of Apollo—with its temple, stadium, and theater—and the museum, which houses the Charioteer of Delphi, among other treasures. Greeks came here to consult the Oracle (the Pythia), who would deliver messages from the gods and interpret the future. Dinner and an overnight stay at a hotel in the Delphi area.

After breakfast, depart for the western Peloponnese, crossing the famous Rio-Antirrio Bridge. Continue to Olympia, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most renowned sanctuaries of ancient Greece. Spend the day exploring the birthplace of the Olympic Games—including the archaeological site and the museum—and discover treasures that reveal the athletic spirit of the Classical era, a tradition that lives on today every four years. After the visit, travel to Lagadia in the heart of the Peloponnese, where you will take part in preparing a traditional meal. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast. Drive across the Argolis, a region known for its gentle landscapes and its olive and orange groves. Visit the archaeological site of Epidaurus and its magnificent, UNESCO-listed theater—renowned for its perfect acoustics—nestled among pine and olive trees. Visit Nafplio, a charming neoclassical town that served as the first capital of the modern Greek state. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in the Corinth region.

Breakfast. Drive to Athens, with a brief stop to admire the famous Corinth Canal. Panoramic tour of the Greek capital to see its main landmarks: the Temple of Olympian Zeus, the University, the Academy, the Panathenaic Stadium, and the Parliament with its elite guards in traditional uniforms, known as "Evzones." Visit the UNESCO-listed Acropolis site and its museum; this temple complex—featuring the famous Parthenon—sits atop a hill overlooking the city. Free time to explore the narrow streets of the charming Plaka district. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight to Heraklion, Crete. Evening arrival, transfer to your hotel, and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to visit the Palace of Knossos, a major center of the Minoan civilization—Europe’s oldest. This legendary site, linked to the myth of the Minotaur and the Labyrinth, offers insight into the political, religious, and artistic organization of ancient Crete. Colorful frescoes, ceremonial halls, and monumental courtyards bear witness to the ingenuity of this advanced civilization.
Continue to the city of Heraklion to visit the Archaeological Museum—one of Greece’s most important—which houses Minoan masterpieces discovered at Knossos, Phaistos, and Malia (including frescoes, jewelry, statuettes, and Linear A and B tablets).
Free time for lunch (on your own), followed by a walk through the historic center: Venetian ramparts, the Morosini Fountain, the harbor, and the Koules Fortress.
Return to the hotel.

Breakfast. Departure for Rethymno, a charming city with a Venetian and Ottoman past. Tour of the Old Town, featuring narrow streets, loggias, fountains, and the fortress overlooking the sea, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of Crete’s north coast.
Continue to Chania, considered one of the island’s most beautiful cities. Explore its historic center—a blend of Venetian, Turkish, and Greek influences—including the old harbor, the Venetian lighthouse, colorful neighborhoods, and local markets.
Free time for lunch (at your leisure) and to stroll along the harbor or shop for handicrafts.
Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure for the east coast of Crete for a half-day cruise in the Gulf of Mirabello. Sail to the island of Spinalonga, a former Venetian fortress that later served as a leper colony until the mid-20th century. A visit to the island offers a moving insight into Crete’s recent history and exceptional views of the Aegean Sea.
Free time for swimming and an onboard barbecue (weather permitting).
Return to the coast and continue to Agios Nikolaos, an elegant resort town built around Lake Vouliagmeni. Free time for a stroll around the lake, through the lively streets, or along the harbor.
Return to the hotel.

Breakfast. Free time for a final stroll or to relax. Transfer to the port to take the ferry to Santorini. Free time in the late afternoon. Check-in and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Set off to explore this extraordinary island and its authentic villages: Megalochori, Pyrgos, and finally Oia. Perched above the caldera, Oia is undoubtedly the island’s most striking village, featuring small white villas built directly into the rock that seem to "tumble" down the cliffside toward the sea. Wine tasting during the tour.

Breakfast. Day at leisure in Santorini.

Breakfast. Free time in the morning, then transfer to the port to catch a ferry to Athens. Evening arrival, transfer to the hotel in the Athens area, and overnight stay.

Breakfast, followed by a transfer to Athens International Airport. Return flight to Montreal.