GREECE
$6324
Athens, Mykonos, Naxos and Santorini.
This tour is priced for a minimum group of 8 people. Per person. Double occupancy. Please inquire about a single-supplement room price. Price includes all transportation between Athens and the islands.
We have also added Classical Greece (Olympia, Delphi, Kalambaka) and Crete to our Greece tour offerings. See suggested itinerary below and inquire about pricing.
Please join Tour Director, Sandy Gregory, for this wonderful adventure through Greece, or contact us to help you create your own independent travel experience inspired by this itinerary with our Concierge Travel Services.
We know that the decision to spend your valuable time and money traveling is a costly investment. Call on us to create the perfect guided or independent travel custom itinerary. We work closely with groups who want a personalized, private experience. Che Bella Tours is Creative Travel, and the partner you want when planning a remarkable family vacation, destination wedding, trip of a lifetime or other special occasion.
$6324
Athens, Mykonos, Naxos and Santorini.
This tour is priced for a minimum group of 8 people. Per person. Double occupancy. Please inquire about a single-supplement room price. Price includes all transportation between Athens and the islands.
We have also added Classical Greece (Olympia, Delphi, Kalambaka) and Crete to our Greece tour offerings. See suggested itinerary below and inquire about pricing.
Please join Tour Director, Sandy Gregory, for this wonderful adventure through Greece, or contact us to help you create your own independent travel experience inspired by this itinerary with our Concierge Travel Services.
We know that the decision to spend your valuable time and money traveling is a costly investment. Call on us to create the perfect guided or independent travel custom itinerary. We work closely with groups who want a personalized, private experience. Che Bella Tours is Creative Travel, and the partner you want when planning a remarkable family vacation, destination wedding, trip of a lifetime or other special occasion.
Day 1. Arrive Athens.
Welcome to Greece! Today you will arrive in Athens and your Tour Manager will give you an orientation to the area.
Our included Big Fat Welcome tonight is much more than a dinner, it's an evening of what it is to be Greek: culture and folklore, demonstrations, music, singing, dancing, laughing, cheering, clapping, breaking plates ... and drinking and eating like there's no tomorrow. Opa!
About Che Bella’s Dinners
At Che Bella Tours, when we gather around the table as a group, it is a celebration: A celebration of good food and wine. A celebration of culture. A celebration of friendship. Hosting this celebration is one of the joys of being a Che Bella Tour Director. We guide you to your favorite dish … or help you choose something you’ve never tried before. We choose the perfect wines and throw in some local delicacies to broaden your palate and surprise you a bit. You’ll go home with new culinary knowledge that will draw you under its spell and increase your hunger for more.
Day 2. A day in Athens.
This morning we will enjoy our private Athens sightseeing tour. Our journey begins! Travel in time through the city with a history of more than 5,000 years! Walk along streets where Pericles, Plato and the Apostle Paul laid the foundations for Western Civilization and enjoy the perfect blend of ancient worlds and modern times in a city vibrant with life! We’ll enjoy a visit to the Acropolis, as well as a panoramic tour of the highlights of the city.
This afternoon, you can stroll through the streets of Plaka, known as the “Neighborhood of the Gods”, built on top of the residential areas of ancient Athens. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops to explore.
Tonight is yours to enjoy on your own.
Day 3. A morning flight (included in your tour price) from Athens to Mykonos
This morning we take an early flight (included) from Athens to Mykonos. After check-in, the day is yours to enjoy the amenities of our wonderful resort, located on Elia Beach in the southern most part of the island. The luxurious rooms, pool and beach bar look over the Aegean Sea, and there is a spa as well as Yoga and Pilates classes.
Tonight: Included dinner at the resort.
Day 4. A day in Mykonos.
This morning we’ll enjoy a private orientation tour of Mykonos. There are no “cities” on Mykonos, just the main port town, Mykonos Town, an enchanting maze of narrow lanes and alleyways that are fun to explore. Shops and restaurants are tucked into the classic white stone buildings that the Greek islands are famous for. Your tour will finish in town so you have the afternoon to explore this stunning island. You might want to hang out at Paradise Beach or Ano Mera Beach, go see the windmills of Kato Myli, or do some shopping and have lunch in Little Venice.
Tonight, dinner is on your own. There regular free shuttles that go from the hotel in to Mykonos Town and back. Late night Is a fun vibe of clubs and street parties. The shops all stay open until about 11 so we’ll have plenty of time to stroll, shop, sun and enjoy.
Welcome to Greece! Today you will arrive in Athens and your Tour Manager will give you an orientation to the area.
Our included Big Fat Welcome tonight is much more than a dinner, it's an evening of what it is to be Greek: culture and folklore, demonstrations, music, singing, dancing, laughing, cheering, clapping, breaking plates ... and drinking and eating like there's no tomorrow. Opa!
About Che Bella’s Dinners
At Che Bella Tours, when we gather around the table as a group, it is a celebration: A celebration of good food and wine. A celebration of culture. A celebration of friendship. Hosting this celebration is one of the joys of being a Che Bella Tour Director. We guide you to your favorite dish … or help you choose something you’ve never tried before. We choose the perfect wines and throw in some local delicacies to broaden your palate and surprise you a bit. You’ll go home with new culinary knowledge that will draw you under its spell and increase your hunger for more.
Day 2. A day in Athens.
This morning we will enjoy our private Athens sightseeing tour. Our journey begins! Travel in time through the city with a history of more than 5,000 years! Walk along streets where Pericles, Plato and the Apostle Paul laid the foundations for Western Civilization and enjoy the perfect blend of ancient worlds and modern times in a city vibrant with life! We’ll enjoy a visit to the Acropolis, as well as a panoramic tour of the highlights of the city.
This afternoon, you can stroll through the streets of Plaka, known as the “Neighborhood of the Gods”, built on top of the residential areas of ancient Athens. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and shops to explore.
Tonight is yours to enjoy on your own.
Day 3. A morning flight (included in your tour price) from Athens to Mykonos
This morning we take an early flight (included) from Athens to Mykonos. After check-in, the day is yours to enjoy the amenities of our wonderful resort, located on Elia Beach in the southern most part of the island. The luxurious rooms, pool and beach bar look over the Aegean Sea, and there is a spa as well as Yoga and Pilates classes.
Tonight: Included dinner at the resort.
Day 4. A day in Mykonos.
This morning we’ll enjoy a private orientation tour of Mykonos. There are no “cities” on Mykonos, just the main port town, Mykonos Town, an enchanting maze of narrow lanes and alleyways that are fun to explore. Shops and restaurants are tucked into the classic white stone buildings that the Greek islands are famous for. Your tour will finish in town so you have the afternoon to explore this stunning island. You might want to hang out at Paradise Beach or Ano Mera Beach, go see the windmills of Kato Myli, or do some shopping and have lunch in Little Venice.
Tonight, dinner is on your own. There regular free shuttles that go from the hotel in to Mykonos Town and back. Late night Is a fun vibe of clubs and street parties. The shops all stay open until about 11 so we’ll have plenty of time to stroll, shop, sun and enjoy.
Day 5. Included full day cruise from Mykonos to the islands of Delos, Rhenia and Naxos
Today we take a trip back in time. Archaeological buffs and lovers of legends will enjoy this trip to the sacred island of Delos, the archaeological jewel of the Cyclades. Believed to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, it’s one of the most important archaeological sites, historical and mythological place in Greece. We'll take our private sailboat from Mykonos and cruise to Delos, then on to Rhenia Island, where we'll make a stop for swimming and snorkeling. We'll disembark on Naxos Island, a place of exceptional beauty and remarkable tradition.
Included dinner in Naxos.
Day 6. A day in Naxos
This morning we'll enjoy a private tour of the island. Naxos is blessed with 41 splendid villages, each of them possessing unique beauty and charm. These villages glow with ancient tradition and spectacular architecture. We'll visit the medieval The Chora Castle and the Portara (the great door). The rest of the day and evening are yours to enjoy.
Day 7. Included Ferry from Naxo to Santorini
There are not many places in the world where you can enjoy exquisitely clear waters while sitting on the rim of a volcano in the middle of the sea. Santorini boasts beautiful scenery, natural beauty, sunsets, romance, fine dining, wineries, boutique hotels, boat tours and volcanoes.
After we check in to our hotel, we’ll have time for lunch before we meet with our guide for a private tour of the island. The sun-drenched island of Santorini sits at the southern tip of the Cyclades and is one of the most breathtaking locations of Greece. This volcanic island of unusual rock formation and high cliffs jutting into the sea is the result of a massive volcanic eruption around 3,500 years ago that blew out the center of Santorini. The surrounding islands are the remains of the sides of the crater, and the sea has filled in the gaps, forming a beautiful bay and some of the most spectacular views.
Tonight, we’ll begin our evening in Oia watching one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world (and wave good-bye to the donkeys bringing the cruisers back down to their ships) before our included dinner on Amoudi Bay.
Day 8: A day in Santorini.
Today is a day to explore the island on your own. Your Tour Director will have lots of choices for you.
Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 9. A day in Santorini with Sunset Wine Tour and Tasting
Santorini, because of its unique climate and the mineral content of its volcanic soil, has the best wine in Greece. It’s the Greek version of the Napa Valley - not surprising on an island that has been making wine for over 3000 years. There are about forty native varieties of grapes in Santorini. The vines lay low to the ground in round baskets made from the vines themselves and this protects them from the high winds. This afternoon, we'll visit the most distinct winery of the island, and learn the island’s history through its wine-making, all accompanied by local delicacies, including cheese, salami and Greek olives as we watch the sun set before dinner.
Tonight: Included Farewell Dinner
Day 10. Depart Santorini. Goodbye, Greece! Αντίο, Ελλάδα!
Transfer to the airport for you Trans-Atlantic flights back to the U.S.
Consider adding 4 days through Classical Greece
Day 1. From Athens.
Starting from Athens we drive westwards along the scenic coast, and reach our first stop at the breathtaking views of the CORINTH CANAL. The Corinth Canal is a junction of international sea transport and serves ships coming from the western Mediterranean and Adriatic en route to eastern Mediterranean and black sea ports. We’ll continue along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf to EPIDAURUS. On the headland called “Nesi” at Palaia Epidaurus, the theatre of the ancient city is quite well-preserved. Apart from a few rows of seats, the cavea is made of limestone with poros staircases. The theater is known for its exceptional acoustics. We’ll then take a short stop in NAUPLIA, the original capital of Greece in 1829, before we drive to MYCENAE: Mycenae ‘Rich in Gold’, the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon, first sung by Homer in his epics, is the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization. In the afternoon depart for OLYMPIA Overnight in Olympia.
Day 2. Olympia
Olympia the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. Dedicated to Zeus, the father of the gods, it sprawls over the southwest foot of Mount Kronios, at the confluence of the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers, in a lush, green landscape. Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic center in Greece. The Olympic Games, the greatest national festival and a highly prestigious one world-wide, was held every four years to honor Zeus. We’ll the Archaeological Site & the Museum and then drive via PATRAS to RION, across the channel to ANTIRRION on the “State of the Art” new suspended bridge considered to be the longest and most modern in Europe. Arrive in NAFPAKTOS (drive through) then continue to DELPHI. Overnight in Delphi.
Day 3. Delphi
Situated at the foot of Mount Parnassos, within the angle formed by the twin rocks of the Phaedriades, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world. According to mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met. The sanctuary of Delphi, set within a most spectacular landscape, was for many centuries the cultural and religious centre and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world and seat of the Pythian Games, the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics which were held every tour years. Our tour will include the archaeological site and the Museum we’ll enjoy the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos, the tyrant of Gela, winning the chariot-race at the Pythian Games. This incomparable statue is a representative example of the ‘’severe’’ Attic style, certainly the work of a major artist.
We then depart for KALAMBAKA, with an orientation of the town when we arrive. Overnight in KALAMBAKA.
Day 4. Kalambaka and Back to Athens
Today we will see one of the most amazing places in Greece: METEORA. Meaning ‘suspended in air’ the name Meteora soon came to encompass the entire rock community of 24 monasteries, the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece after those in Mount Athos There were no steps and the main access to the monasteries was by means of a net that was hitched over a hook and hoisted up by rope and a hand cranked windlass to winch towers overhanging the chasm. Monks descended in the nets or on retractable wooden ladders up to 40m long to the fertile valleys below to grow grapes, corn and potatoes. Each community developed its own resources and by the end of the 14th century, the Grand Meteoron emerged as the dominant community. The rock monasteries have been certified by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage. After this tour, we’ll drive back to ATHENS, passing through THERMOPYLAE.
Consider adding 2 days in Crete
Day 1. Knossos Minoan Palace & Museum
Only few kilometers south of Heraklion, is Knossos, the capital of King Minos and the center of the magnificent Minoan civilization. Our visit will take us a step back in time and some 4000 years, 2000 BC.Knossos and her Palace, famous throughout the world through the myths of Europa, the Minotaur, the Labyrinth and Theseus, Daedalus and Ikarus, will open a window to the most ancient civilization of Europe. Knossos’ architectural feats include some of our first “skyscrapers”, with light wells and bathrooms, impressive pillars and an ingenuous drainage system, aqueducts, irrigation, paved roads and magnificent frescoes. an advanced beautiful jewelry and a way of life you never thought possible in the dawn of history. In Heraklion we visit the the town’s famous Archeological Museum, and finish with the taste the famous Minoan Menu, at the local tavern.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure.
Day 2: A Day in Crete:
Enjoy Crete at your leisure or an Excursion to Phaistos Palace, Gortys Roman ruins and the Matala Beach
The Minoan Palace of Phaistos, is located in the Messara Plain in south-central Crete, 55 kilometres south of Heraklion and a short distance from the archaeological site of Agia Triada, the archaeological site of Gortys and Matala.Phaistos is one of the most important archaeological sites in Crete. Your next stop will be the Minoan Royal Villa/ Country Mansion of Ag Triada where amazing Minoan and Mycenean prehistoric layers brought to light a big number of unique artifacts such as the famous Ag Triada sarcophagus and the boxing ryton. Your then on to an optional lunch stop in the small town of Matala could follow, a very artistic and renowned area by the hippies back in the late ‘60s. Your final stop will be the old Roman capital of Crete, the town of Gortys, where the oldest Roman theater on Crete was excavated together with the oldest codified law system of Europe among other unique historic and mythical monuments.
Included Farewell Dinner: We’ll finish up our Grecian Adventure with a fun introduction to Cretan culture on this 4-hour evening tour. Tuck into a delicious dinner of typical island cuisine, sip fine Greek wine, and be entertained by a thrilling Cretan Folklore show, including live music and traditional dance. Transportation is included.
Today we take a trip back in time. Archaeological buffs and lovers of legends will enjoy this trip to the sacred island of Delos, the archaeological jewel of the Cyclades. Believed to be the birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, it’s one of the most important archaeological sites, historical and mythological place in Greece. We'll take our private sailboat from Mykonos and cruise to Delos, then on to Rhenia Island, where we'll make a stop for swimming and snorkeling. We'll disembark on Naxos Island, a place of exceptional beauty and remarkable tradition.
Included dinner in Naxos.
Day 6. A day in Naxos
This morning we'll enjoy a private tour of the island. Naxos is blessed with 41 splendid villages, each of them possessing unique beauty and charm. These villages glow with ancient tradition and spectacular architecture. We'll visit the medieval The Chora Castle and the Portara (the great door). The rest of the day and evening are yours to enjoy.
Day 7. Included Ferry from Naxo to Santorini
There are not many places in the world where you can enjoy exquisitely clear waters while sitting on the rim of a volcano in the middle of the sea. Santorini boasts beautiful scenery, natural beauty, sunsets, romance, fine dining, wineries, boutique hotels, boat tours and volcanoes.
After we check in to our hotel, we’ll have time for lunch before we meet with our guide for a private tour of the island. The sun-drenched island of Santorini sits at the southern tip of the Cyclades and is one of the most breathtaking locations of Greece. This volcanic island of unusual rock formation and high cliffs jutting into the sea is the result of a massive volcanic eruption around 3,500 years ago that blew out the center of Santorini. The surrounding islands are the remains of the sides of the crater, and the sea has filled in the gaps, forming a beautiful bay and some of the most spectacular views.
Tonight, we’ll begin our evening in Oia watching one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world (and wave good-bye to the donkeys bringing the cruisers back down to their ships) before our included dinner on Amoudi Bay.
Day 8: A day in Santorini.
Today is a day to explore the island on your own. Your Tour Director will have lots of choices for you.
Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 9. A day in Santorini with Sunset Wine Tour and Tasting
Santorini, because of its unique climate and the mineral content of its volcanic soil, has the best wine in Greece. It’s the Greek version of the Napa Valley - not surprising on an island that has been making wine for over 3000 years. There are about forty native varieties of grapes in Santorini. The vines lay low to the ground in round baskets made from the vines themselves and this protects them from the high winds. This afternoon, we'll visit the most distinct winery of the island, and learn the island’s history through its wine-making, all accompanied by local delicacies, including cheese, salami and Greek olives as we watch the sun set before dinner.
Tonight: Included Farewell Dinner
Day 10. Depart Santorini. Goodbye, Greece! Αντίο, Ελλάδα!
Transfer to the airport for you Trans-Atlantic flights back to the U.S.
Consider adding 4 days through Classical Greece
Day 1. From Athens.
Starting from Athens we drive westwards along the scenic coast, and reach our first stop at the breathtaking views of the CORINTH CANAL. The Corinth Canal is a junction of international sea transport and serves ships coming from the western Mediterranean and Adriatic en route to eastern Mediterranean and black sea ports. We’ll continue along the coastal road of the Saronic Gulf to EPIDAURUS. On the headland called “Nesi” at Palaia Epidaurus, the theatre of the ancient city is quite well-preserved. Apart from a few rows of seats, the cavea is made of limestone with poros staircases. The theater is known for its exceptional acoustics. We’ll then take a short stop in NAUPLIA, the original capital of Greece in 1829, before we drive to MYCENAE: Mycenae ‘Rich in Gold’, the kingdom of mythical Agamemnon, first sung by Homer in his epics, is the most important and richest palatial centre of the Late Bronze Age in Greece. Its name was given to one of the greatest civilizations of Greek prehistory, the Mycenaean civilization. In the afternoon depart for OLYMPIA Overnight in Olympia.
Day 2. Olympia
Olympia the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. Dedicated to Zeus, the father of the gods, it sprawls over the southwest foot of Mount Kronios, at the confluence of the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers, in a lush, green landscape. Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic center in Greece. The Olympic Games, the greatest national festival and a highly prestigious one world-wide, was held every four years to honor Zeus. We’ll the Archaeological Site & the Museum and then drive via PATRAS to RION, across the channel to ANTIRRION on the “State of the Art” new suspended bridge considered to be the longest and most modern in Europe. Arrive in NAFPAKTOS (drive through) then continue to DELPHI. Overnight in Delphi.
Day 3. Delphi
Situated at the foot of Mount Parnassos, within the angle formed by the twin rocks of the Phaedriades, lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world. According to mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met. The sanctuary of Delphi, set within a most spectacular landscape, was for many centuries the cultural and religious centre and symbol of unity for the Hellenic world and seat of the Pythian Games, the second most important games in Greece after the Olympics which were held every tour years. Our tour will include the archaeological site and the Museum we’ll enjoy the unique bronze statue of the Charioteer dedicated to Apollo by Polyzalos, the tyrant of Gela, winning the chariot-race at the Pythian Games. This incomparable statue is a representative example of the ‘’severe’’ Attic style, certainly the work of a major artist.
We then depart for KALAMBAKA, with an orientation of the town when we arrive. Overnight in KALAMBAKA.
Day 4. Kalambaka and Back to Athens
Today we will see one of the most amazing places in Greece: METEORA. Meaning ‘suspended in air’ the name Meteora soon came to encompass the entire rock community of 24 monasteries, the biggest and most important group of monasteries in Greece after those in Mount Athos There were no steps and the main access to the monasteries was by means of a net that was hitched over a hook and hoisted up by rope and a hand cranked windlass to winch towers overhanging the chasm. Monks descended in the nets or on retractable wooden ladders up to 40m long to the fertile valleys below to grow grapes, corn and potatoes. Each community developed its own resources and by the end of the 14th century, the Grand Meteoron emerged as the dominant community. The rock monasteries have been certified by UNESCO as a unique phenomenon of cultural heritage. After this tour, we’ll drive back to ATHENS, passing through THERMOPYLAE.
Consider adding 2 days in Crete
Day 1. Knossos Minoan Palace & Museum
Only few kilometers south of Heraklion, is Knossos, the capital of King Minos and the center of the magnificent Minoan civilization. Our visit will take us a step back in time and some 4000 years, 2000 BC.Knossos and her Palace, famous throughout the world through the myths of Europa, the Minotaur, the Labyrinth and Theseus, Daedalus and Ikarus, will open a window to the most ancient civilization of Europe. Knossos’ architectural feats include some of our first “skyscrapers”, with light wells and bathrooms, impressive pillars and an ingenuous drainage system, aqueducts, irrigation, paved roads and magnificent frescoes. an advanced beautiful jewelry and a way of life you never thought possible in the dawn of history. In Heraklion we visit the the town’s famous Archeological Museum, and finish with the taste the famous Minoan Menu, at the local tavern.
The rest of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure.
Day 2: A Day in Crete:
Enjoy Crete at your leisure or an Excursion to Phaistos Palace, Gortys Roman ruins and the Matala Beach
The Minoan Palace of Phaistos, is located in the Messara Plain in south-central Crete, 55 kilometres south of Heraklion and a short distance from the archaeological site of Agia Triada, the archaeological site of Gortys and Matala.Phaistos is one of the most important archaeological sites in Crete. Your next stop will be the Minoan Royal Villa/ Country Mansion of Ag Triada where amazing Minoan and Mycenean prehistoric layers brought to light a big number of unique artifacts such as the famous Ag Triada sarcophagus and the boxing ryton. Your then on to an optional lunch stop in the small town of Matala could follow, a very artistic and renowned area by the hippies back in the late ‘60s. Your final stop will be the old Roman capital of Crete, the town of Gortys, where the oldest Roman theater on Crete was excavated together with the oldest codified law system of Europe among other unique historic and mythical monuments.
Included Farewell Dinner: We’ll finish up our Grecian Adventure with a fun introduction to Cretan culture on this 4-hour evening tour. Tuck into a delicious dinner of typical island cuisine, sip fine Greek wine, and be entertained by a thrilling Cretan Folklore show, including live music and traditional dance. Transportation is included.