Kalimera! Welcome to Athens, Greece's storied capital. When you arrive, a local representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Your adventure officially kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see and do – after all, you’re in one of the world's oldest cities! Maybe visit the Archaeological Museum of Athens to brush up on some history or hunt down the best souvlaki. After your welcome meeting, head out for dinner with your group at a local restaurant and toast the beginning of the trip – maybe with a glass of ouzo. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where and when the meeting will take place.

Today, you’ll get to know ancient Athens with visits to two of the city’s most famous sites. First, explore the Acropolis – one of the Western world’s most significant landmarks. Meet an expert local guide who'll share deep insights into the history and legacy of the civilisations that once lived in this citadel. Start with an ascent through the towering Propylaea, the grand entrance to the Acropolis. Inside, you’ll see the Parthenon – considered the greatest Doric temple in the ancient world. Then join your trip leader for an included lunch featuring traditional Greek pies and delicious vegetarian specialities. In the afternoon, drive north to the town of Kalambaka at the base of the Meteora Mountains. Along the way, stop at Thermopylae – the site of the famous 480 BC battle during the Greco-Persian wars, and the inspiration behind the movie 300. When you arrive, you might like to check out one of the local tavernas for dinner. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Travel into the hills this morning to the monasteries of Meteora. These ancient stone buildings sit on towering sandstone cliffs and are among Greece's most extraordinary sites. Join a local guide to explore the ruins of the Varlaam or Great Meteoron monasteries and learn about their history – settlement in the area dates back to at least the 11th century when hermit monks sought refuge in the caves. Next, visit a family-run winery at the foot of Meteora. You’ll go on a guided tour to see the equipment and techniques used in wine production, then taste some local varietals paired with snacks like graviera, feta and breadsticks. Then, return to Kalambaka where you’re free to explore the town or relax at the hotel. Regroup in the evening to watch the sunset from the hills surrounding Meteora with an included drink. Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours. A strict Orthodox Christian dress code applies when entering any of the monasteries in Meteora. Shoulders and knees must be covered, and women must wear skirts at or below the knee. Skirts and shawls can be borrowed at monastery entrances. Today will involve a fair bit of walking with many steep stairs, so it is recommended you wear comfortable shoes.

After breakfast, travel to Delphi to visit the Delphi Museum and explore the complex with a local guide – including the Temple of Apollo, the most important building where statues and offerings to the gods were housed and where rituals took place. Later in the afternoon, visit a family of local beekeepers for a Premium Experience where you’ll see the hives, learn about honey production and, of course, taste their produce. Continue to your overnight stop in the small coastal town of Nafpaktos. For dinner tonight, maybe treat yourself to some seafood by the water. Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.

After a leisurely morning, drive to the archaeological site of ancient Olympia – a complex that once comprised temples and public buildings and was the site of the first Olympic Games. You’ll join an expert local guide to tour the main stadium, gymnasium, wrestling school, priest houses, Temple of Hera and the hippodrome. Then, visit the museum to brush up on more history. Continue to the medieval village of Dimitsana to settle into Mikri Arktos Boutique Hotel – your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights. This traditionally decorated stone mansion dates back to the 19th century and has a warm and welcoming atmosphere with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. The roads in Central Arcadia are very windy, so you might want to consider taking medication if you’re prone to motion sickness.

Today, join a local guide to explore the central part of the Peloponnese peninsula and Lousios Valley. Walk deep into the valley where you’ll have a Premium Experience at the working monastery of Prodromos – an incredible wood and clay structure built into a rock face. Learn about the monks’ lives as they show you around before sitting together for coffee and Greek delight. Then, see the splendid 14th-century frescoes decorating the rock walls inside the chapel. After, continue your hike to Ancient Gortys, the remains of a temple dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek God of Medicine, which dates back more than two thousand years and sits on the banks of Lousios river. With the hike complete, stop at a traditional village of the Arcadia region for lunch at a restaurant which is a favourite with locals, before returning to Dimitsana for a free afternoon. Your walking time today will be approximately 3 hours or 5 km. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours. The roads in Central Arcadia are very windy, so you might want to consider taking medication if you are prone to motion sickness. If you choose not to hike, you can relax and admire the views of the gorge, and the private transfer will take you to end point of the hike.

Visit the Mycenae archaeological site this morning – a UNESCO World Heritage site considered one of the most important cities of the Mycenaean civilisation. Then, drive to the seaside town of Nafplion (Nafplio) – the original Greek capital – and take some time to explore its narrow alleys and Venetian and Ottoman landmarks at your own pace. Continue your drive towards Athens, making a stop along the way to take in views of the Corinth Canal. This narrow canal connects the Ionian and Aegean Seas. Arrive in Athens in the late afternoon and head out for a guided walking tour through Plaka, one of the oldest and most historically rich neighbourhoods in Athens, led by a local journalist. As you explore, you’ll learn how Plaka earned the nickname ‘Neighbourhood of the Gods’. With a focus on Greek philosophy, your knowledgeable guide will share quotes, stories and questions to prompt philosophical discussion and reflection with your fellow travellers. You’ll also make a stop at a cafe to try some Greek coffee or herbal tea. This evening, join your group for an included farewell dinner at a local restaurant – don't forget to say yamas (cheers) to a brilliant adventure! Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Enjoy a day at leisure in Athens. You may wish to take a walk around the National Garden or tackle the climb up Lycabettus Hill. You’ll have a second welcome meeting at your hotel at 6 pm to meet your new leader and any new travellers joining the next leg of your adventure. After, get to know your new leader and group over dinner at a local restaurant. As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today.

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 reach 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 across the island, passing ancient marble quarries and verdant hills, to Marpissa for a visit to a cultural centre 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. Then, join your trip leader for a taste of Greece’s favourite street food — the iconic souvlaki wrap, or gyros, with freshly grilled meat tucked into soft pita bread. Delicious vegan options are also available. Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours. Due to the early morning ferry from Piraeus to Paros, breakfast will be provided in the form of a takeaway box as the hotel may not be able to offer a full breakfast service. Please speak to your leader if you have any concerns.

The day is yours to uncover more of Paros’ charms. There’s 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.

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 – this 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 from the rest of the country. Try it for yourself this evening during a group dinner, where you’ll learn all about the regional specialties.

Drive to Kaloxylos in the heart of the island’s biggest olive grove (which is also one of the oldest in the world!). Here, you’ll tour an olive oil press museum to learn about the importance of olive oil in 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. The evening is free for you to explore Naxos at your leisure. Your trip leader will be on hand to provide recommendations. For a taste of the island’s culture, perhaps sample the beloved local kitron liqueur which has a history stretching back to the 19th century and is produced exclusively on Naxos.

Today is free for you 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.

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 – Majestic Hotel and Spa. With views of the Santorini caldera or Aegean Sea from your private balcony, elegant marble bathrooms, plus a swimming pool, sauna and champagne lounge, this is an excellent base for soaking up the whitewashed island scenery or heading out to explore the city centre. Tonight, make sure you catch Santorini's world-famous sunset. Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.

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. Your walk will take you along the north-western rim of the caldera, passing steep cliff faces and sweeping views along the way. The walk ends in the town of Oia, built on a steep slope inside Santorini’s volcanic caldera. Later this afternoon, join a private, immersive experience at the Symposion Cultural Centre, where you’ll go on a guided tour of a historic winery which has been transformed into a cultural space, accompanied by an intimate musical journey led by a local artist. Through mythological storytelling, handcrafted instruments and a curated Greek wine tasting, you’ll gain insight into the deep connection between music, heritage and the human experience. End your evening with a visit to a local winery where you'll take part in a wine tasting with food pairings while looking out over the Santorini caldera as the sun sets. Your walking time today will be approximately 3 to 5 hours or 12 km. The surface varies between gravel and loose volcanic scree. There are several uphill and downhill sections, and there are no shade or toilet facilities along the route. In summer, your leader may decide to start the hike as the sun rises to avoid the day's heat. Therefore, you may need to organise a takeaway breakfast, as the hotel will not serve breakfast this early. Please speak to your leader for more details if you have any concerns. As an alternative to the hike, you can take a taxi to Oia and meet up with the rest of the group there or enjoy a beach day.

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.