Luxury Greece

Day 1 - Friday
Depart from the USA today for your overnight flight to Athens.

Day 2 - Saturday – Arrive in Athens – Special Welcome Dinner
Yiasou! And welcome to Greece! Your Perillo representative will greet you upon arrival at Athens International Airport where you'll transfer to your 5-star hotel in downtown Athens. Afternoon at leisure. Take a stroll through the Plaka, a dynamic shopping district in the heart of Athens. Festive welcome dinner overlooking the Acropolis tonight at the celebrated Dionysos restaurant! D

Day 3 - Sunday – Athens – Acropolis Sightseeing
After breakfast we start off with a Greek language lesson. Afterwards, depart for a half day Athens city tour with a local historian guide, including a panoramic city tour and, of course, a visit to the Acropolis and the incredible museum of Acropolis.

Our expert guide takes you to see the center of the city, Constitution Square (Syntagma), the House of Parliament, the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier and the National Library. Driving down Herod Atticus Street, you will see the full "Changing of the Guards" (Evzones) ceremony, held once a week on Sundays at 11am.

On your way to the Acropolis you will see the Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and we'll make a short stop at the Panathenaic Stadium where the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in 1896. On the Acropolis, visit the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens: the Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion Acropolis Hill, Parthenon, Athens, Greece and, finally—the glorious Parthenon and Acropolis Museum. Return to the hotel for a free night. BB

Day 4 - Monday – Athens – Cruise to Mykonos
Dinner Out Tonight

After breakfast we head to Piraeus Port to board the ferry to mythical Mykonos Island (about 3 hours). Upon arrival in Mykonos, we'll check into our luxury oceanside hotel.

Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a walking tour of the famous cosmopolitan town of Mykonos with its white-washed cubic houses, windmills and chapels. Tonight we enjoy dinner in a local tavern. BB, D

Day 5 - Tuesday – Mykonos – Day at Leisure – Optional Visit of Delos
Today is your day to relax and enjoy the jet- setting city of Mykonos, including the ancient church Paraportiani, little Venice, and the windmills. Explore the festive nightlife and traditional tavernas.

Optional Tour: How about a 45-minute boat ride to the island of Delos? You'll be guided around its gigantic archaeological site. Delos was the center of the Cyclades of the ancient world, birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, and home to the first multicultural civilization! Overnight in Mykonos. BB

Day 6 - Wednesday – Mykonos – Cruise to Santorini – Dinner
After breakfast we head to the port of Mykonos for our high-speed boat to Santorini Island. You'll love our deluxe hotel right in the center of Santorini's main town! Among the volcanic island of the Cyclades, Santorini is Summer in Greece known worldwide as the most romantic island. Afternoon at leisure.

Tonight, dinner at a traditional taverna. Overnight in our hotel in Santorini. BB, D

Day 7 - Thursday – Santorini – Boat Tour in the Caldera – Swimming, Snorkeling – Barbeque Lunch – Return to Our Santorini Hotel
Wear your bathing suit today! After breakfast we depart for the old port of Santorini for a boat tour in the Caldera (a round bay created by a volcanic eruption). Our catamaran will stop at the famous "red beach" and "white beach" for swimming and snorkeling followed by a barbeque lunch on board. The last stop for swimming will be at the hot springs created a thousand years ago by the underwater power of the volcano! Overnight at our hotel in Santorini. BB, L

Day 8 - Friday – Santorini – Day at Leisure
It's a leisurely day to enjoy the beauty and magic of Santorini. You can explore the village of Fira on your own, with its cobble-stone streets and white-washed houses with blue shutters. Or visit one of the island's wineries. Overnight in Santorini. BB

Day 9 - Saturday – Santorini – Traditional Meze Lunch – Cruise to Elounda on Crete
A leisurely morning for breakfast and relaxation. This afternoon, we'll have lunch at a local ouzeri (taverna) for ouzo (Greek liquor) and meze (small finger foods). Now you're a true Greek!

We'll make our way to the port of Santorini around 5:30pm for the high-speed boat crossing (2 ½ hours) to Crete's Heraklion port. Overnight at our hotel in Elounda – the small fishing village on the northern coast of Crete. Arrive at the hotel and enjoy a light dinner before heading to your luxury accommodations. BB, L, D

Day 10 - Sunday – Crete – Visit of Knossos & Arolithos Traditional Village – Cooking Demonstration with Lunch – Overnight in Crete
After breakfast we depart for the most important site of Crete: the famous Knossos archaeological site. Knossos is the site of the palace of the Minoan civilization and seat of the legendary King Minos. The Palace is also connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, and the story of Daedalus, Ariadne and Theseus. You'll be astonished by this period's surprising level of technological advancement!

Next we visit Arolithos, a characteristic village of Crete. Arolithos village was built in the traditional way and looks centuries old, reflecting many aspects of Cretan tradition. Browse around the museum which contains items depicting the rural history, local handicrafts, even Cretan guns. Hungry?

Let's have an interactive cooking demonstration followed by lunch! Overnight at our hotel in Elounda. BB, L, D

Day 11 - Monday – Day at Leisure – Farewell Dinner
A full day at leisure on Crete! You may choose to spend your day on the beach or take the boat trip to Spinalonga—an island "created" by the Venetians which acted as a leper colony until 1957.

OPA! Tonight we'll enjoy traditional foods at our farewell dinner. A fun night and your last chance to exchange emails, pictures and plans for another Perillo vacation with your new- found friends! BB, D

Day 12 - Tuesday – Crete to Athens – Depart for Home
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Crete's Heraklion airport. (There are several early morning flights to Athens.) Arrive in Athens airport to connect to your home city.

Farewell! Until we meet again on another great Perillo vacation. We're always honored to have you along! BB