Itinerary

This is the proposed itinerary for our Sketch and paint trip to Greece in May 2025.

  • Welcome to Athens!

    Private arrival transfer from Athens Airport to our hotel

  • Athens – 2 nights

    Athens Cypria Hotel

    Executive room with balcony. Tonight we celebrate our arrival with a traditional Greek meal.

  • Tour –

    Amazing private walking tour to explore the city's rich ancient past with our personal expert guide. Visit the breathtaking Acropolis and the Acropolis Museum! We meet our guide at the hotel and walk to Syntagma Square, see the Monument to the Unknown Soldier and watch the changing of the guards.

    Then head to the Sotira of Lycodimos and the Kottakis Church, both beautiful Byzantine churches. Continue strolling through the Plaka's paved streets, filled with traditional Greek restaurants and local shops. Next is the sight that's sure to be a highlight of any visitor's list: the Acropolis. As we walk up the slopes, see the Dionysus sanctuary and Dionysus Theatre built in the 5th century BC. Our knowledgeable guide will give us a detailed explanation of the glorious monuments of the Acropolis such as the Parthenon, the Erectheion, the Propylaia, the Nike Temple and the surrounding monuments such as the Observatory and Philopappos. Continue with a pleasant short walk passing by Herodion and Dionysos Theater to visit the New Acropolis museum. Avoid and skip the lines of the new museum. Main attractions such as votives, artifacts of everyday life, statues from the archaic period, Caryatids, and of course the Parthenon Hall with the metopes, the pediments and the frieze. We then continue to Goulandris Private Art Museum at leisure. From Van Gogh to Pollock and everyone in between, the world’s most famous painters have found a permanent home at the new museum of the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation.

    The rest of the afternoon is free to explore.

  • 3 Day/2 night Delphi and Meteora Private Tour

    This morning we are picked up from our hotel at 8:15am

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    Day 1: Athens-Arachova-Delphi

    Depart for Delphi via Levadia and Arachova, famous for its handicrafts. In Delphi visit the Museum and the Sanctuary of Apollo including Treasury of the Athenians and Temple of Apollo.

    Dinner and overnight in Delphi. D

  • Delphi-Kalambaka

    Morning free in Delphi. Afternoon departure for Kalambaka via picturesque towns and villages of Central Greece.

    Dinner and overnight Kalambaka. B, D

  • Kalambaka-Meteora-Thermopylae-Athens

    In the morning visit the breathtaking Meteora and its monasteries built on the top of high rocks. Stop for lunch at Kalambaka before

  • Athens – 1 nights

    Athens Cypria Hotel

    Executive room with balcony

  • Transfer: Private transfer Cypria Hotel to the Port of Piraeus

    Blue Star Ferry – Piraeus to Paros. Today will be an early morning start as our ferry departs around 7 am.

    The ferry takes approx. 3 hours.

    Private transfer to the fishing village of Naousa, only a short 15-minute drive from the Port of Paros.

  • Naousa Paros – 4 nights

    Paliomylos Spa Hotel

    Balcony Seaview Room

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    Situated a short walk from the lively seaside village of Naousa, Paliomylos Spa Hotel offers a swimming pool with sun terrace overlooking the Aegean Sea. It features self-catering accommodation with free Wi-Fi access. Paliomylos rooms are elegantly decorated and air conditioned.

  • Tour – Private 5 hour tour of Paros.

    We start our tour visiting the castle and the church of Saints Constantine and Helen, in old town, the most scenic spot in Parikia. Then we visit Panagia Ekatontapyliani, one of the oldest churches in the country built around 400 AC; also called the church with One hundred gates. Not only is it an architectural and archaeological monument, the church of Our Lady of the Hundred Gates is one of the most important pilgrimage sites throughout Greece.

    From there, the bus takes us to the seafront village of Aliki, where we stop for lunch at a restaurant by the sea. (lunch own expense)

    Then we continue with a stroll in Lefkes, the former capital of Paros. It is built amphitheatrically in cruciform shape, at an altitude of 250 meters, at the centre of the island. It is surrounded by small forest areas, olive groves and vineyards. It is characterized by its beautiful, pine forest, which covers one side of the village.

  • Full Day Sailing trip

    We set off from Naousa Harbour and see all the north-east side of Paros. We pass Gaidouronissi, Tourlites, Viokastro before reaching the bay of Small Santa Maria.

    This will be our first swim stop and time to collect seafood for lunch! We sail south towards Filizi and head for the red beach of Kalogeros which is famous for its unique colours and its clay natural spa.

    After lunch, we set off on our return journey with a stop at the beach of Laggeri for a last swim while enjoying our coffee, fruit and sweets.

    Includes morning and afternoon tea, lunch and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).

    Bring swimmers, swim shoes, a towel, a hat and sunblock.

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    Other things to do –

    Explore the old port of Naousa

    Take the local bus into the main town of Parikia and wander the many little alleyways

    Sit in a traditional taverna and watch the world go by

    Take a dip in the Aegean

    Lots of time for sketching and painting

  • Free day

  • Blue Star Ferry – Paros to Naxos

    Naxos – 4 nights Galaxy Hotel

    Pool or Seaview room

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    We will have 4 full days to explore beautiful Naxos.

  • Full day private bus tour – today we head for the hills to explore the beautiful traditional villages of Koronas, Chalki and Eggares.

    History comes alive at the ancient temple of Demetra, in Sagri Village, dated 530 BC, and dedicated to the goddess of agriculture. Built on the edge of a fertile Naxian valley, as the first Greek temple constructed entirely of marble.

    We also visit a family run olive oil factory, a 100 year old Kitron liqueur distillery and have a fresh and delicious, homemade lunch at a characteristic, family-owned taverna; the meal is prepared almost entirely of their homegrown, raised and produced, products. And virtually ten steps from our table, you can drink from a mountain spring!

    We will have plenty of time to wander off the beaten track, take photos or sit and sketch.

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  • Free Day

    Things to do –

    Walk to Portara, beautiful temple dedicated to Apollo

    Visit Kastro (castle) for magnificent views over Naxos town

    Take the local bus to Agia Anna for a seafood lunch and swim

    Plenty of time for sketching and painting.

  • Plenty of time for sketching and painting

    Free Day

  • Blue Star Ferry – Naxos to Santorini

    Santorini – 3 nights

    We will be staying in 2 hotels

    Mill Houses Suites and Manos Small World. The distance between them is only a short stroll.

  • Half-Da. Santorini sites

    Bring your swimmers and sunscreen and good walking shoes.

    The order in which we travel may alter from the below itinerary.

    Today we visit Akrotiri Archaeological site, one of the most important prehistoric settlements of Greece. Akrotiri is a Bronze Age settlement that was destroyed by a huge eruption during the 17th century BC and buried under the volcanic ash, which preserved the whole city in perfect condition to be referred to often as β€œPrehistoric Pompei” The settlement has been suggested as a possible inspiration for Plato's story of Atlantis. The site has been excavated since 1967.

    Red Beach

    Free time for photos and a walk on the famous Red beach; well known for the unique colour of the sand and the hill behind it. Soaring red lava cliffs which drop right to the sandy shore and into the clear blue sea.

    Perivolos black sand beach

    One of the longest beaches in the Cyclades and the best beach in Santorini, considered as the trendiest beach of the island. There are a variety of restaurants, taverns, cafes, beach bars & watersports.

    Megalochori

    Walking Tour at Megalochori, one of the most beautiful traditional villages of the island. Typical traditional cycladic houses, neoclassic buildings and small houses dug in the volcanic rock blend together with harmony. We find here also the typical small white churches with blue domes.

    Profitis Ilias mountain

    The highest peak of the island (567 meters) is located between Pyrgos and Kamari. The Mountain's name is Profitis Ilias (Prophet Elijah), coming from the Monastery with the same name located at the top. From this vantage point, you will enjoy a striking view of the entire island, from the patchwork agricultural plains to the hilltop village of Oia.

  • A free day to explore

    Things to do –

    Take the local bus to Kamari beach for a swim and seafood lunch

    Wander the narrow streets of Fira Town for some last-minute shopping

    Tonight we have our Farewell Dinner.

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  • Private departure transfers from our hotel to Santorini Airport

    Santorini to Athens domestic flight – time to connect with ongoing international flights.

Naxos, Greece

Paros, Greece