Today we will meet for the beginning of our tour in our designated hotel in downtown Athens. We will assist you with transfers wherever you may find yourself in Athens.

You’ll have free time before the group welcome dinner, so you can relax in the hotel or hit the streets on your own or as a group to explore downtown Athens. The hotel is close to many of the famous tourist sites of Athens, so you will be spoiled for choice.

We’ll meet in the evening for the welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant in downtown Athens.

After dinner, you’re welcome to go exploring again or retreat to the hotel for an evening swim or nightcap at the rooftop bar with views of the Parthenon. If you feel up to it, you can go for a walk to Monastiraki, the Roman Forum, and the base of the Acropolis and enjoy the ambience of the area and even take in a movie at the Thission Open Air Cinema.

Highlights

• Athens
• Group walk in Athens to Monastiraki
• Welcome dinner.
• Group walk to Thissio.
• Thission Open Air Cinema

This morning we’ll have breakfast in the hotel. Those looking for the full Greek coffee experience can cross the road to Mokka coffee house, where the Briki is heated in hot sand for the best Greek coffee, accompanied by a loukoumi and glass of water. After breakfast we’ll meet in the hotel lobby to commence our Acropolis of Athens tour.

In the afternoon we will enjoy a street food tour, which will include the tastes and smell of Greek delicacies, cheeses, souvlaki and the local meat and fish market.

In the evening we will put on our dancing shoes for a class of Rembetiko dancing.

Suggestions to consider for the evening are the Odeon of Herodotus, or the funicular to the top of Licavitos, offering spectacular views of the Parthenon as well as some delectable Greek desserts.

Highlights

• Mokka Coffee House
• Acropolis and Athens tour
• Street food tour
• Rembetiko dance class

Our final day in Athens provides us with free time to take in the smells and tastes of the streets, go shopping and further explore the wonders of this ancient city.

For those that would like to enjoy lunch as a group we will go to Nikitas in the heart of Psyrri. Alternatively, for those who would like to go beyond the city limits, a day trip to Nafplio or the mystical site of Delphi, etc. can be arranged (see Suggestions).

Once back at the hotel, we’ll pack our bags and relax in preparation for our early start, jetting off to Rhodes.

Highlights

• Lunch at Nikitas

Breakfast in the Hotel in Athens, followed by an optional coffee at nearby Mokka and a visit to the adjacent Athens Meat and Fish Market. The morning will be free for last- minute shopping or relaxing prior to our transfer to Athens Eleftherios Venizelos airport for our one-hour flight to Rhodes Diagoras Airport.

In Rhodes we’ll transfer from the airport to the hotel in Rhodes New Town.

We’ll gather in the evening for a group dinner at NOR Beach Club on Elli Beach. In the meantime, you’re free to explore the old or new towns of Rhodes. Head down to Mandraki harbour, visit the old medieval town and/or head to Elli beach for a swim and/or cocktail at one of the many beach bars.

Highlights

• Athens Meat and Fish Market
• Rhodes
• Group walk around Rhodes town.
• Swimming
• Group dinner

A relaxed start to the day before heading off to the Valley of the Butterflies, where we can enjoy the lovely walk from the Kalopetra Monastery through the valley.

From here we will take a drive to Efta Piges (7 Springs) where we can enjoy lunch in the lovely surrounds.

The afternoon will be free to relax and recharge. In the evening we will enjoy a tour of Rhodes New and Old Towns, with a visit to Fondation Marc de Montalambert before a group dinner in Koskinou village.

A host of optional activities will be available during the day. Let us know if there is anything specific you would like us to arrange for you.

Highlights

• Valley of the Butterflies
• Loukomades
• Koskinou village
• Group lunch
• Group dinner
• Rembetika music

Today we’ll travel to the historic city of Lindos, which will include a group tour of the village and an optional visit of the ancient acropolis (a lot of steps).

Or if you prefer, simply shop in the gorgeous traditional village, or visit the beach.

Returning from Lindos, we’ll stop in at the Faethon Miniature Horse Farm to see the horses that are unique to Rhodes and saved from the brink of extinction, before heading to Kallithea, where thermal springs were discovered in 330 B.C., and explore the spa complex (established in 1928). The springs have since dried up, but we can still indulge in a swim or relax by the bar for a drink or snack. We will head back to Rhodes for a free evening. If you like, you can stay on at Kallithea and enjoy the evening there.

Highlights

• Lindos
• Kallithea
• Faethon Miniature Horse Farm
• Shopping
• Swimming

Today we’ll take the ferry to the nearby island of Symi, famed for its sponge diving and ship building industries. Once inhabited by 22,500, the population has declined to 2,500 and its main industry today is tourism. The journey time will be about 2 hours, including a stop at Symi town and the small fishing village of Panormitis, which is famous for Agios Michalaios church and monastery.

In Symi we will take a group lunch in the main harbour, or you can roam the town or take a short boat trip to a beach.

Highlights

• Ferry trip
• Symi
• Panormitis
• Swimming
• Shopping

Today we will have a free day in Rhodes, with the option of a trip to Faliraki to lounge on the deckchairs or you can choose an alternative activity if you prefer at your leisure.

In the evening we will regroup for dinner at Meltemi restaurant.

Highlights

• Rhodes Old Town
• Group dinner

Today features a history talk with a walk around the town followed by a tour of the monastery and Paliokastro. If you’re up for a challenge, climb the 401 steps to the monastery.

For the curious, a visit to the Puzzle Museum can be arranged with the passionate curator Pantazis Houlis.

Later in the afternoon we’ll gather to board a boat for a sunset cocktail and meze cruise.

Highlights

• History talk
• Island tour
• Sunset cocktail cruise
• Puzzle Museum

Today we’ll visit the Blue Grotto for a refreshing swim, then cruise on to the Island of Ro, where we’ll pay homage to the lady of Ro, famed for her patriotic practice of raising the Greek flag every day until her death. On our way back, there’s an optional stop at St. George Island, where you can stay for a swim, drink, and/or dinner, as the evening will be unscheduled.

Highlights

• Blue Grotto
• Island of Ro
• St George Island