Athens Greek Islands and Meteora 8 days

Upon your arrival in the mythical city of Athens, you will be greeted with a seamless transfer to your hotel in one of our vehicles, where your professional and friendly English-speaking driver will ensure your comfort and convenience throughout the journey.

Later in the afternoon, at an agreed time, our representative will meet you at the hotel to provide all the essential details of your trip. They will also offer a captivating presentation of the city, sharing insights into its everyday way of life. This is an excellent opportunity for you to ask any questions and have any doubts dispelled, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience throughout the rest of your trip.

You will have the remainder of the day free to relax and explore Athens at your own pace, taking in the sights, sounds, and flavors of this remarkable city.

In the evening you will join our walking tour, where you will see Athens from a different perspective and have the chance to familiarize yourself with the most charming neighborhoods, such as Anafiotika, Thiseio, Monastiraki, and Plaka.

Greca Tip: Extend your stay by adding nights during Step 1 of 3 of your reservation!

The tour begins at Larissa train station in central Athens, where you will board the bus towards Kalambaka station (Meteora) and promptly depart at 08:00.

Enjoy a picturesque journey through the beautiful Greek countryside and in the afternoon (around 12:45 pm) you will arrive in Kalambaka. Your driver will be waiting for you to welcome and transfer you to your hotel.

In the afternoon, our knowledgeable local guide will lead you on a 4-hour sunset adventure in a VIP minibus, showcasing Meteora's stunning rock formations and panoramic viewpoints.

Upon pickup for the sunset tour, the guide will provide information on the audio guide, which is available in English, Spanish, French, and German.

The exploration will start from one of the six operating monasteries of Meteora: Agios Stefanos, Saint Nicholaos, or Roussanou.

You will visit the oldest standing monument, the Byzantine church of the Virgin Mary, located in the old town of Kalambaka. This church, built in the early Christian period and with ancient marble embedded in its walls, tells the story of the city spanning 27 centuries.

You will then head to the ancient hermitages of Badovas, hear about the stories and legends, and enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views.

As the sun begins to set, slowly descending upon the mountain ridges, you will climb to the top of the Meteora rocks, a magical place, for a pure, and uninterrupted experience. Up there, you will feel the night breeze blowing amidst these cliffs and fill your senses with the splendor of nature. This is the perfect way to end a beautiful day at Meteora.

After sunset, you will return to your accommodation and enjoy a good rest.

Dress code in the monasteries: Sleeveless shirts and shorts are not permitted. Visitors can use the skirts, shawls, and trousers available at the entrance of the monasteries if they don’t carry appropriate clothing to cover themselves with.

Greca Tip: Roam the maze-like cobblestone lanes of the old center and shop around for local handmade embroidery, leather sandals, and carved wooden handicrafts.

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel you will start an unforgettable morning tour of Meteora. You will learn which monastery was the first to become established and the reasons behind the monks' decision to attempt to climb the steep rocks and build the monasteries there.  In the panoramic tour that will follow, you will enjoy the incredible views and have the chance to take photos of the awe-inspiring scenery.

After your tour, you will return to Kalambaka train station to catch the 6:00 PM bus back to Athens. You are expected to arrive at Stathmos Larissis by 10:30 PM, concluding your memorable day trip.

Greca Tip: Do not leave this region without trying a variety of home-made pies, a glass of house wine or a few tsipouro shots and the regional pudding (“spatoula”) or some “halva” for a sweet aftertaste.

In the early morning, your assistant will pick you up in one of our private vehicles and transfer you to the port of Piraeus, where you will take the ferry to the island of Syros.

Upon your arrival, one of our representatives will welcome you, transfer you to your hotel and introduce you to the island.

The rest of the day will be free for you to relax and familiarize yourself with the friendly islanders' unhurried way of life.

In medieval times, the island, like the rest of the Cyclades, was occupied by the Republic of Venice, and most of the inhabitants converted to the Catholic religion. (The population of Syros today conserves a considerable percentage of Catholics in relation to the rest of Greece, a mainly Orthodox country).

Due to the importance of its seaport, Syros was one of the islands that received the most refugees after the various wars between Greece and Turkey, especially in 1922, after the occupation of Smyrna by the Turks (the so-called Greco-Turkish war). Some of the micro-Asian refugees brought their popular music to Syros, which, enriched with other elements, turned the island into one of the cradles of Repetika music. Siros was the homeland of Márkos Vamvakáris, for many the greatest Rebetic composer of all time and the first to record an album of this musical genre. One of the most famous songs of Vamvakáris is entitled precisely La Francosirianí (Siros' girl).

Greca Tip: Do not forget to taste the loukoumia of Syros. 

After a tasty breakfast, you will be ready to enjoy the fascinating island of Syros. We suggest visiting the capital of Syros, but also of all the Cyclades, Ermoupoli, stroll in its streets and discover the stately character of its past.

There are many pastel colors that mix with the blue of the Aegean Sea.  You can also walk all the way to Ano Syros, located at the top of a hill and crowned by the Church of Saint George. It is the medieval city of Syros, formerly surrounded by a fortress.

If you prefer to spend the day on a beach, it would be best if you headed south to Mega Gialo, one of the most beautiful beaches of the island, with crystal clear waters and fine sand.

Greca Tip: If you decide to swim in Finikas bay instead, you can also practice diving and water sports.

After a delicious breakfast, our representative will pick you up at the agreed time to transfer you to the port of Syros, where you will continue by sea to your next destination ... the inexhaustible source island of inspiration, Santorini. The approach to the island is fascinating and it is the ideal moment to photograph the town of Fira, with its white houses perched on the cliffside that faces the volcano.

Upon your arrival, one of our English-speaking representatives will be waiting for you to welcome you, transfer you to your hotel and explain a little more about the attractions of this picturesque island.

You will have the rest of the day free to walk through its alleys and become part of this amazing world.

Tip Greca: Delight in one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world from one of the bars overlooking the caldera.

Today is yours to experience Santorini at your own rhythm. The island’s story is written in its cliffs, wines, and ancient ruins.

Named Santa Irene by Venetian sailors, Santorini’s layers of history run deep—from medieval duchies to Ottoman whispers.

Optionally, you can go on a dazzling sailboat tour that will take you over to the small islands of Santorini Caldera, Nea, and Palea Kameni, with the hot springs of green and yellow waters.

Greca Tip: On this free day, we recommend exploring the island, tasting its wine and its excellent local cuisine. We cannot miss tasting the tomato keftedes (a kind of tomato balls), the fava dishes (a vegetable smaller than a pea), and the cheese called Chloro. Here is a catamaran cruise with wine tasting in Santorini you may want to take.

After breakfast, our Greca representative will transfer you to the Santorini airport to catch your flight back to Athens.

Once there, you can connect to your international departure. Please ensure your flight leaves after 12:30 to make your connection stress-free.

Your journey through Greece now becomes part of your story. At Greca, we’re honored to have been your hosts and look forward to welcoming you again soon.

Greca Tip: Not ready to leave? You can add extra nights in Santorini in step 1 of your reservation.