The islands of the Aegean offer travelers a unique perspective of Greece, ancient and modern. With a dazzling array of archaeological sites set against breathtaking backdrops, each island reveals its myths and histories.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delos, renowned as the birthplace of the twin gods Artemis and Apollo. Once a significant site in the Greek world, its majesty still resonates today. Traveling across the sparkling Aegean Sea by ferry from island to island, tour the Cyclades Islands of Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos, along with Santorini and Aegina.
Explore the sophisticated Bronze Age community at Akrotiri, witness ongoing excavations at the Sanctuary of Apollo and Artemis on Despotiko, and marvel at the magnificent Aphaia Temple on Aegina — one of Greece’s most beautiful sanctuaries. View the varied remains of thousands of years of continuous occupation while learning about the mythology of the ancient gods and heroes.
But more than history awaits! Wander cobblestone village streets lined with gleaming whitewashed houses, pause for meals in traditional tavernas, spend nights in charming boutique hotels, taste the luscious wines produced on the islands, and immerse yourself in the pastoral life that inspired the legends that have been passed down through the ages.
Continue reading to learn more about this Far Horizons Greek Islse Tour. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
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Depart on a flight bound for Athens, Greece.
Arrive in Athens in the morning and transfer to the port. Board a ferry to the ruggedly beautiful and tranquil island of Tinos. This hidden gem is well off the beaten tourist trail. After lunch in a village taverna, walk through Chora to the Church of our Lady of Tinos Panagia Evangelistria (The All-Holy Bringer of Good News), one of the most sacred pilgrimage sanctuaries in Greece. In 1823, shortly after Greece gained its independence from the Ottomans, a miraculous icon of the Virgin was discovered here. Thus, Our Lady of Tinos became not only the patron saint of Tinos but of the Greek nation. Even today, the shrine is a place of pilgrimage and reputed miracles.
Overnight for two nights in the Aeolis Tinos Resort, a charming boutique hotel high on a hill overlooking the main town of the island. (L/D)
Today’s outing takes us through the dramatic landscape of Tinos. As we drive past whitewashed villages tucked into the mountain ravines and the remains of windmills, we will notice hundreds of small, decorated structures. Tinos is known as the ‘Island of Dovecotes.’ The breeding of pigeons was the exclusive entitlement of the Venetian ruling class. And when they invaded Tinos in the 13th century, the nobles began constructing homes for the birds. These important feathered creatures were used for both food and as a source of fertilizer. During the centuries, local farmers continued building these two-story structures. The doves lived on the top floor, and tools were stored in the rooms below. Although there are dovecotes on other islands, none are as charmingly decorated as those found here. The people of this island have long quarried marble.
We will stop at the Museum of Marble. Here are displays of the tools and techniques used in working this stone that has been used since antiquity.
Additionally, we will visit the School of Marble Sculpture, where young people learn the craft. Tinos was the only island of the Cyclades that devoted an entire temple to Poseidon. We will stop to see this sanctuary of the god of the sea and his wife, the sea nymph Amphitrite. Long a place of pilgrimage, the temple was begun in the 4th century BC. (B/L/D)
Depart Tinos for Mykonos. Upon arrival, drive to Mykonos Vioma Organic Farm and Winery for a delicious tasting experience of wine and local cuisine.
In the afternoon, spend time wandering through Mykonos town.
Dinner is on our own. Overnight for two nights in Mykonos Town. (B/L)
A short early morning boat ride takes us to Delos. The archaeological remains here are designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive antique ruins in the Greek World. Delos occupies a central place in Greek religion and politics. According to myth, this wandering island became fixed at the center of the Cyclades upon becoming the birthplace of Apollo. Over time, the island became the center of his cult. It was the destination of religious pilgrimage for Ionian Greeks and a Pan-Hellenic sanctuary for more than two thousand years. Furthermore, it served as the treasury of the Delian League at the beginning of the great Peloponnesian War. The rich artifacts that have been found here attest to its cosmopolitan role in the ancient world. (Note: Time on the island is dependent upon the ferry schedule.)
Return to Mykonos with lunch on our own and time for a refreshing dip in the hotel swimming pool.
In the afternoon, visit the island’s Archaeological Museum. (B/ /D)
Cruise the short distance to Paros. This island became a wealthy center of art and architecture in the Archaic and Classical Greek periods. The island’s wealth was due to abundant marble, famous throughout the Mediterranean for its superior quality. Parikia, the port of Paros, is dominated by an iconic windmill. While here, we will stroll to the ancient sites of the town. This includes the Archaeological Museum. Inside is an unparalleled collection of marble sculptures, beginning with the exquisite Cycladic figurines of the Early Bronze Age. One of the most important objects here is the Parian Chronicle, or Parian Marble, with inscribed history covering the years from 1582 BC to 299 BC. The stone records pivotal moments in mythic and literary history, such as the Flood of Deucalion, the invention of agriculture by Demeter, and the poetic feats of Homer, Sappho, and Aeschylus. Conclude the afternoon at Panagia Ekatontapiliani, the church of one hundred doors. This historic Byzantine church complex is said to have been built by the mother of Constantine the Great.
Enjoy a dinner of traditional food in one of the town’s tavernas together. Overnight for two nights in Paros Town. (B/L/D)
Our small boat heads out to the tiny nearby island of Despotiko, currently only populated by a goat herder and cheesemaker. Here, recent excavations have revealed a Sanctuary of Apollo and Artemis. Finds include life-size sculptures from Paros and small objects from as far away as North Africa. While here, meet with Yannos Kourayos, director of excavations and the archaeologist who discovered the site. Dr. Kourayos will give us a private tour and discussion of the ongoing excavations.
After our box lunch, we will return to Paros, where we visit the Delion Sanctuary of Apollo. Built in the 5th century BC, the temple was the home of the nine-foot-tall statue of Artemis, now housed in the Archaeological Museum of Paros.
This evening is free to meander through the quaint and bustling streets of the old town in search of the perfect dining spot. (B/L)
Leave Paros and cruise for an hour to the most fertile island of the Cyclades, Naxos, which has a wealth of well-preserved remains dating from the Bronze Age to the Venetian era. Ancient sagas tell that Naxos is where Theseus abandoned Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos of Crete, after she helped him slay the Minotaur on that island. Then along came the god Dionysus, who subsequently fell in love with the deserted princess. Those sailing into the harbor today are greeted by the Portara, the massive entrance to an unfinished Temple of Apollo. This monument was meant to signal the wealth and prestige of its builder, Lygdamis, the famous tyrant of the island in the 6th century BC.
This afternoon, explore the layers of history at the heart of the Naxos’ chief port city, Chora. The hill above the town is crowned by a fortified castle from where the 13th-century Venetian Duchy ruled the Cyclades. Now it houses the Archaeological Museum.
Dinner is on our own to search for the perfect taverna tucked away among the picturesque winding streets of the old town. In the evening, the area comes to life with local merchants, artists, and musicians.
Overnight for two nights at the delightful Princess Hotel on Naxos. (B/L)
Today we explore Naxos. Our first stop is the Sanctuary of Dionysus. The remains of Dionysus’ cult is not surprising given his association with the myths of the island. This impressive 6th-century construction is made entirely of marble and is considered an architectural forerunner of the Parthenon. Stop to see Panagia Drosiani, one of the oldest and most revered churches in Greece dating to the end of the 6th century. Inside, a series of chapels are adorned with enchanting murals. Similarly, the original church dome is lavished with 7th-century frescoes. Continue through the scenic mountains of the island’s interior, dotted with picturesque mountain villages, to Sangri. Standing proudly here is a 6th-century BC Temple to Demeter, the ancient goddess of grain. 2500 years ago, people constructed sanctuaries dedicated to her close to fertile areas.
Lunch will be in one of the island’s remote hamlets to sample the local fare.
After lunch, we reach the island’s famous marble quarries, the source of the island’s wealth and position. Here, we will be able to view an unfinished 10-meter-tall statue still in the stone.
Dinner is on our own. (B/L)
Cruise across the sparkling indigo sea to the volcanic island of Santorini, the southernmost island in the Cyclades. It was shaped by an eruption that created its dramatic appearance: a steep, semi-circular rim encircling a deep lagoon. The sparkling, whitewashed villages cling to the cliffs above beaches of black sand. In the capital village of Fíra, or Thíra, visit the Archaeological Museum.
During lunch take in the scenery of Oia, and then enjoy the afternoon at your leisure.
Overnight for two nights in the elegant Cori Rigas Suites, located on the cliff edge of the caldera. Dinner is on our own. (B/L)
Our exploration of Santorini begins in ancient Thera, named after the mythical ruler of the island, Theras. The remains of the town are positioned at the top of one of the island’s ridges, with gorgeous views in all directions. Here, see the agora, the main square of the city, which includes the Stoa Basileus (Royal Stoa), a huge portico with a roof supported by a row of ten Doric pillars. And finally, walk through the 2nd-century theater.
Continue to the town of Akrotíri, the “Pompeii of Greece,” where pristine examples of Minoan art and architecture have been conserved under the layers of volcanic ash. (B/L/D)
A morning flight returns us to Athens.
In the afternoon, enter The Nicholas P. Goulandris Foundation Museum of Cycladic Art. Inside, one of the world’s most exquisite private collections of Cycladic art awaits us. The foundation is dedicated to the study and promotion of ancient cultures of the Aegean and Cyprus. Particularly, the emphasis is on Cycladic Art from the distinctive culture that flourished in the central Aegean during the Early Bronze Age (third millennium BC).
Overnight for two nights in the innovative Elia Ermou Hotel overlooking the Acropolis.
Our final dinner will be on the hotel’s rooftop restaurant with stunning views over Athens and the Acropolis. (B/L/D)
Embark on a short voyage to nearby Aegina, one of the Saronic Islands. It was named for a nymph who was loved by Zeus. Ancient myths say he carried her off in the guise of an eagle. On Aegina, we will visit two remarkable ancient sanctuaries. Located on the Hill of Kolona, just north of the town of Aegina, lies the Temple of Apollo, built in 520 BC. At one time, other temples stood within the complex, including those dedicated to Dionysos, Artemis, and Delphinian Apollo, who protected sailors. Aegina’s Museum is located on the nearby hill. Inside are a wealth of stunning artifacts, including a marble Sphinx with wings of an eagle, a lion’s body, and a woman’s head. Originally, it was a votive monument dedicated to the Temple of Apollo.
From here, we move on to the archaic Temple of Aphaia, founded on the summit of a pine-covered mount. Dedicated to the goddess Athena, twenty-five of the original thirty-two Doric columns still stand in this magnificent shrine.
Return to Athens for dinner on our own. (B/L)
Transfer to the airport for our flights home. (B)
