Athens & The Islands

The Athens and The Islands tour visits two of the Cyclades' most captivating islands: Naxos and Santorini. Students travel between them by passenger ferry, spending meaningful time on the ground at each destination rather than arriving and departing from a ship. On Naxos, the group takes a guided walking tour of Naxos Town and participates in a hands-on Greek cooking class with a cheese tasting at dinner. On Santorini, the itinerary spans two full days and covers four distinct experiences: a walking tour of the hilltop village of Pyrgos, a guided visit to the Akrotiri archaeological site, supervised exploration time in Fira, and free time to take in the world-famous sunset in Oia. Your Tour Director accompanies the group throughout.

Akrotiri is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. A prehistoric Minoan settlement buried by a volcanic eruption roughly 3,600 years ago, it predates Pompeii by thousands of years and is often compared to it for how remarkably well-preserved the structures are. Students take a guided visit through the covered site, which includes multi-storey buildings, sophisticated drainage systems, and evidence of a highly advanced Bronze Age civilization. A visit typically takes 1 to 2 hours. The experience connects directly to the ancient history and mythology thread that runs through the Athens portion of the tour, from the Acropolis through Delphi to Santorini.

Both days on Santorini include a mix of structured activities and student exploration time. On Day 7, after the guided visit to Akrotiri, students have supervised exploration time in Fira, Santorini's main town, where they can wander the caldera-edge lanes, browse shops, and take in the views over the cliffs. On Day 8, after a walking tour of the coastal village of Perissa, the group heads to Oia for free time and the island's world-famous sunset. Students typically have a few hours to explore Oia's whitewashed streets and find a spot along the caldera to watch the sunset. Your Tour Director provides guidance on safe areas and meeting points throughout both days.

Students travel by passenger ferry from Athens to Naxos, and then from Naxos to Santorini. Greek island ferries are large, comfortable vessels with seating areas, outdoor decks, and food service on board. The Aegean is generally calm on these inter-island routes, and motion sensitivity is uncommon on the larger vessels used for this journey. Students who tend toward sea sensitivity can pack over-the-counter remedies as a precaution. Your Tour Director manages all ferry logistics, boarding, and group coordination throughout.

Yes, the optional Greek cooking experience is fully hands-on. Students work with a local chef to prepare traditional Greek dishes, learning about the ingredients and techniques that make Greek cuisine distinctive — from working with olive oil and fresh herbs to preparing classic dishes. Greece's culinary tradition blends land and sea flavours in a way that's unique in the Mediterranean. It's a fun, interactive experience that connects food to culture, geography, and history. The excursion can be added during the booking process.