Help me turn 50 in Greece!

Michele Greatti Start Date: Jun 18, 2019 - End Date: Jun 17, 2020

My Travel Story

by: Michele Greatti Start Date: Jun 18, 2019 - End Date: Jun 17, 2020
Next year - on October 11, 2020 - I will be turning 50 years old. (I type this with a huge knot in my stomach... how is this happening so soon?!)

If you follow me on Facebook, you know well that I have an obsession with Greece. I post images from there constantly. It's my dream vacation destination, and has been for a very long time. It took me three years to take a full week off from work, and I just don't want to burn myself out like that again. I am hoping that in a year or 2, through some serious scrimping and saving, I will get to go. Doing it on my 50th is a great way to take the sting out of the big number, and give me a way to actually look forward to it.

I humbly ask that if you want to do something nice for me, for any reason - birthday, Christmas, Arbor Day... anything.... please do this. Help me realize my lifelong dream. Help me get to paradise. In lieu of any kind of gift, please donate to my trip. It will make the excursion even more meaningful if I were able to achieve it with the help of my friends.

As I will likely be traveling alone, I have looked into a tour, which I believe is a safe, care-free way to travel abroad alone. October 10-26, 2020. The Greek Islands: Mykonos, Santorini & Crete
with Athens extension. 

Updates

1

  • Intinerary

    Intinerary
    Day-by-day itinerary

    Overnight Flight1 night
    Day 1: Travel day
    Board your overnight flight to Athens today.

    Athens3 nights
    Day 2: Arrival in Athens
    Included meal: Dinner
    Welcome to Greece! Meet your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner tonight.

    Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Athens
    Included meal: Breakfast
    A local guide introduces you to the highlights of this bustling ancient capital, home to the world’s first democracy.

    • Pass by the Olympic Stadium, Syntagma Square, and the Arch of Hadrian

    • View the sixth-century Temple of Zeus

    • See the classically inspired Old Royal Palace, home of the Hellenic Parliament, and drive through the Plaka district

    • Set off on a walking tour around the ancient Acropolis, site of the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion

    Enjoy a free afternoon in Athens or add an excursion.


    Cape Sounion
    Excursion (additional cost)
    View details +
    Day 4: Free day in Athens
    Included meal: Breakfast
    Enjoy a full free day in Athens or add an excursion.


    Delphi
    Excursion (additional cost)
    View details +
    Mykonos3 nights
    Day 5: Transfer to Mykonos
    Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
    Travel by ferry to Mykonos, and follow your Tour Director on an orientation of Mykonos Town when you arrive.

    • See the iconic windmills in Mykonos Town, built as early as the 16th century

    • View Little Venice, the charming neighborhood right along the Aegean Sea

    • Pass the Church of Panagia Paraportiani and admire its unique architecture

    Later, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

    Day 6: Free day in Mykonos
    Included meal: Breakfast
    Enjoy a full free day in Mykonos soaking up the sun and unique island culture, or add an excursion.


    Mykonos Cooking Demonstration & Lunch
    Excursion (additional cost)
    View details +
    Day 7: Free day in Mykonos
    Included meal: Breakfast
    Enjoy another day exploring Mykonos at your leisure or add an excursion.


    Delos
    Excursion (additional cost)
    View details +
    Santorini3 nights
    Day 8: Transfer to Santorini
    Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
    Take a ferry to Santorini, then enjoy free time to discover the island’s volcanic black-sand beaches, cliff-lined shores, and stunning whitewashed architecture.

    Sit down to an included dinner with your group this evening.

    Day 9: Sightseeing tour of Santorini
    Included meal: Breakfast
    Today, take in the local sights on a guided tour of Santorini.

    • Visit the prehistoric settlements that were unearthed during the archaeological excavations at Akrotiri

    • Ride to the top of Mount Profitis Ilias for panoramic views of the whole island

    • Stop in the small, picturesque village of Pyrgos

    Enjoy a free evening in Santorini or add an excursion.


    Santorini Caldera Cruise & Dinner
    Excursion (additional cost)
    View details +
    Day 10: Free day in Santorini
    Included meal: Breakfast
    Enjoy a full free day in Santorini or add an excursion.


    Greek Wine Tasting & Lunch
    Excursion (additional cost)
    View details +
    Crete2 nights
    Day 11: Transfer to Crete
    Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
    This afternoon, take a ferry to Crete, the largest of the Greek islands.

    Later, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

    Day 12: Free day in Crete
    Included meal: Breakfast
    Enjoy a full free day in Crete or add an excursion.


    Chania
    Excursion (additional cost)
    View details +
    Athens1 night
    Day 13: Sightseeing tour of Heraklion & transfer to Athens
    Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
    Before returning to Athens, enjoy a guided tour of Heraklion.

    • Visit the ruins of Knossos, where King Minos imprisoned the Minotaur in a labyrinth, according to the myth

    • See the Heraklion Archaeological Museum

    This afternoon, fly to Athens to say goodbye to your group at a farewell dinner.

    Flight Home
    Day 14: Departure
    Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
    Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to continue exploring Athens.

    Extension to Athens
    Extend your adventure in Athens, an ancient capital where awe-inspiring history mingles with the present day.

    Athens2 nights
    Day 14: Free day in Athens
    Included meal: Breakfast
    Enjoy a free day in Athens or add an excursion.


    Athens Home-Hosted Dinner
    Excursion (additional cost)
    View details +
    Day 15: Free day in Athens
    Included meal: Breakfast
    Enjoy another free day in Athens or add an excursion.

    Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers to enjoy a farewell drink.


    Corinth Canal, Epidaurus & Mycenae
    Excursion (additional cost)
    View details +
    Flight Home
    Day 16: Departure
    Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
    Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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