SHORTLIST

Premium Greece Cyclades Islands

Let the charm of the Cyclades wash over you on this 9-day Premium island adventure in Greece. Start off in the storied city of Athens, explore the villages of Paros, uncover ancient riches in Naxos and soak up the views in Santorini. Hike a caldera, tour wineries, sample local kitron and take a cooking class with organic ingredients. Travel with a passionate local leader who’s eager to share the magic of their country as you discover fascinating histories, incredible food and welcoming locals.
Tour details
Tour Provider Intrepid Travel
Price From
$6,570
Number of Days
9
Start Location
Athens, Greece
End Location
Santorini, Greece
Age Range
Avg. 30+
Group Size
1 to 12
Tour Style
Comfort
Tour Themes
Adventure
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Itinerary Open all
Day 1: Athens
Kalimera! Welcome to Greece. Your adventure begins in Athens, Greece’s capital. There’s a lot to experience in this ancient city, so arriving a few days early is highly recommended. When you arrive at the airport, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, you might like to visit Athens’ iconic Acropolis or walk around the National Garden. After your meeting, get a taste of Greece’s celebrated cuisine during dinner with your group at a local restaurant and perhaps toast the beginning of the adventure with a glass of ouzo.
Day 2: Paros
This morning, you’ll be transported to Athens' port at Piraeus, where you’ll board a ferry to Paros – a beautiful and relaxed island with a layered history. Ferries are a great way to travel between the islands and are essential to many remote islands in Greece's archipelagos. In the afternoon, get to know Paros during an island tour with a local guide. Start off in Parikia, the island’s main town, where you’ll visit the Ekatontapiliani church, also known as the Church of a Hundred Doors. Drive through the island’s mainland, passing by ancient marble quarries, then stop off at the village of Lefkes. Take some time to explore the village surrounded by verdant hills, olive and pine trees, then call into a cultural centre in Marpissa to learn about island life from a group of local women. Carry on to Naoussa – a village known for its whitewashed alleys, Venetian castle and scenic port.
Day 3: Paros
The day is yours to uncover more of Paros’ charms. There’s certainly no shortage of things to see and do on the island. You might like to take a guided morning hike along the coast – starting off at a fishing village and weaving through some of the island’s best beaches. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to visit the nearby island of Antiparos – a favourite secret holiday spot for royals and celebrities. Or maybe you’d like to spend the day relaxing on one of Paros’ many beaches, cooling off with dips in Aegean Sea. Speak to your leader for more information about the activities on offer today and for tips on how to make the most of this island.
Day 4: Naxos
Say goodbye to Paros this morning and catch a short ferry to Naxos. The largest of the Cyclades islands, Naxos has something for everyone – from beaches to an Old Town and hundreds of years of Venetian history. Take some time to settle in, then regroup in the late afternoon to learn about the town. Visit the Portara with a local guide – the giant marble doorway is the only remaining part of an unfinished temple of Apollo from 530 BC. Naxos is unique in the fact that it is the Cyclades’ only self-sufficient island, meaning all produce is grown and available on the island without imports. Because of this, the cuisine is hyperlocal and differs to the rest of the country. Try it for yourself this evening during a group dinner, where you will learn all about the regional specialties.
Day 5: Naxos
Drive to Kaloxylos in the heart of the island’s biggest olive grove and one of the oldest in the world. Here, tour an olive oil press museum to learn about the importance of olive oil to Greek culture and traditional extraction methods. After your visit, you’ll put your new knowledge to good use as you travel to the nearby village of Galini for a hands-on cooking class. Meet with a local who will share her culinary knowledge with the group, leaving you with recipes you can cook up at home. First, collect fresh ingredients from your host’s organic garden and learn about cultivation and farming on Naxos. Then put the ingredients together to create a Naxian dish from scratch, enjoying the fruits of your labour for lunch. Pair your lunch with a tasting of local kitron. This citron liqueur, with a history stretching back to the 19th century and produced exclusively on Naxos, offers a taste of the island’s culture.
Day 6: Naxos
Today is free to explore more of Naxos as you wish. You may like to head to one of the island’s beaches or discover more of its history at a local museum. The Archaeological Museum of Naxos in Chora Naxos dates back to the 17th century and houses artefacts from the Neolithic to the early Christian periods, and the Geological Museum of Apeiranthos digs up the natural history of the island. If you’re after a sweet treat, walnut cake flavoured with local kitron is an excellent regional specialty. Your leader will be on hand to help tailor a day that suits your interests.
Day 7: Santorini
Depart Naxos in the morning and catch a ferry to Santorini. When you arrive in Santorini's capital, Fira, you’ll be met and transferred to your Feature Stay hotel – a whitewashed building in traditional Cycladic style, El Greco Resort wraps around the year-round swimming pool. Featuring modern, spacious rooms, this hotel also sits in a prime location for exploring Santorini. It’s only a short walk from the Archaeological Museum of Thera, so perhaps head there to learn about how previous civilisations lived on the island. Tonight, make sure you catch Santorini's world-famous sunset.
Day 8: Santorini
In the morning, embark on a hike along Santorini’s legendary caldera. The island you see today is what remains from a huge volcanic explosion that destroyed the early settlements and created a geographical caldera. The natural beauty of this caldera is what makes Santorini such a special place. Your walk will take you along the north-western rim of the caldera, passing steep cliff faces and amazing views along the way. The walk ends in the town of Oia, built on a steep slope inside Santorini’s volcanic caldera. Famous not only for its scenery, Santorini’s microclimate and volcanic soil make it a top spot for wine production. Sip your way around the island with two special stops – the Symposium Cultural Centre, where you’ll learn about Greek wine and try it in traditional cups, and a family-run winery, where you’ll discover more about the history of wine production and taste the different varieties yourself.
Day 9: Santorini
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you want to spend some more time in Santorini, just speak to your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.
Inclusions
  • Meals: 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners.
  • Transport: Ferry, Private vehicle, Taxi.
  • Accommodation: Comfortable hotel (6 nights), Feature Stay (2 nights).
  • Athens - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant.
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer.
  • Paros - Highlights of Paros Half Day Island Tour with Local Guide.
  • Naxos - Old Town Walk & Portara Guided Tour.
  • Naxos - Cooking Class at a Local Farm.
  • Naxos - Kaloxylos Olive Oil Press.
  • Santorini - Caldera Hike.
  • Santorini - Winery visit.
  • Santorini - Mythology and Wine experience.
Departure dates
All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply
Start End Availability Price NZD
11 May 2025 19 May 2025 7 $6,906
18 May 2025 26 May 2025 3 $7,361
25 May 2025 02 Jun 2025 8 $6,685
08 Jun 2025 16 Jun 2025 7 $6,834
29 Jun 2025 07 Jul 2025 9 $6,570
20 Jul 2025 28 Jul 2025 11 $6,570
24 Aug 2025 01 Sep 2025 11 $6,570
31 Aug 2025 08 Sep 2025 12 $6,834
07 Sep 2025 15 Sep 2025 12 $7,114
14 Sep 2025 22 Sep 2025 7 $7,178
23 Sep 2025 01 Oct 2025 7 $7,178
28 Sep 2025 06 Oct 2025 8 $7,178
07 Oct 2025 15 Oct 2025 9 $6,966
10 May 2026 18 May 2026 9 $7,945
17 May 2026 25 May 2026 12 $7,945
24 May 2026 01 Jun 2026 12 $8,260
26 May 2026 03 Jun 2026 12 $8,260
07 Jun 2026 15 Jun 2026 12 $8,440
21 Jun 2026 29 Jun 2026 12 $8,440
28 Jun 2026 06 Jul 2026 12 $8,115
19 Jul 2026 27 Jul 2026 12 $8,115
23 Aug 2026 31 Aug 2026 12 $8,115
30 Aug 2026 07 Sep 2026 12 $8,440
06 Sep 2026 14 Sep 2026 12 $8,790
13 Sep 2026 21 Sep 2026 12 $8,790
22 Sep 2026 30 Sep 2026 12 $8,790
27 Sep 2026 05 Oct 2026 12 $8,790
06 Oct 2026 14 Oct 2026 12 $8,260