Harry's Minoan Magic 8 Day Island hopping Crete Santorini Athens
Minoan Magic: Athens - Crete - Santorini by air and ferry w/ car rental in Crete
Minoan Magic combines some of he best of Greece's many 5 Star hotels with it's superb natural beauty and is suitable for those wishing to celebrate the high points of Athens and two of the most unique Greek islands in a short time. In this Greece travel itinerary we recommend Athens most famous sights because Athens is the point of arrival and departure for 80% of travelers to Greece. We've also opted to fly you direct to Crete to save you time en-route. Both of these factors will let you see more of Greece with less time traveling.
Our 8 day Athens, Crete and Santorini itinerary allows you to make all connections en-route to Greece and arrive in Athens at your leisure with central Athens 5 star / 4 star superior Acropolis View
Hotel ready and waiting. The following morning, after check out, your optional private driver will show you the sights of Athens and then deposit you safe and sound at the airport.
For first time visitors to Greece we recommend you visit the Acropolis and Parthenon before you catch your flight to Crete, if you've visited Greece previously consider a short drive up central Athens' Mt. Lykavittos (left), for the best view in town and a gourmet lunch. Many options exist in Athens and surrounding Attika prefecture and your driver knows them all, Including near by Cape Sounion (32km) above right.
Some of the most famous of Athens sites seen, at 4:00 pm, you'll board a 1 hour flight to Crete's capitol Heraklion where you'll pick up your rental car at the airport. You'll still have 4 hours plus of day-light remaining and have to make a decision; drive straight on to the hotel (1.5 hrs) due east to charming and traditional Aghio Nicolaou? Or stop for an hour or two, and visit near by Knossos? True, the coast road to your 5 star hotel is along some of Crete's over developed Chersonisos strip on Crete's central northern coast. Avoid that by taking the super highway direct to Aghio Nicolaou and make up for lost time. You'll exit one of the best roads in Greece in one of the nicest village ports in Crete; Aghio Nicolaou.
Depending on the hotel options you choose, you'll then have time to swim in your own private heated pool, or with your fellow guests, in the hotels main pool or off the private beach. A visit to near by Vai (1hr) and its golden sand beaches with palm trees is also recommended. You'll have three more days to explore Crete where there is a lot to see if you so desire. Ancient ruins and the Heraklion Museum are just 2 options. On the 5th day in the afternoon, you'll board ship to Santorini (5hrs or fly). (left: Crete; Vai and just one possible hotel choice, The St. Nicolas Bay Resort Crete
Santorini is one of the top 20 most popular islands in the world and needs little introduction. Santorini and Santorini alone is the Greek island where a caldera view (cliff/crater view) room, or hotel will make your vacation something you will remember for the rest of your lives! Its well worth any extra expenditures and will be the high point of your trip to Greece (no pun intended)! These accommodations afford a good place to look your special someone in the eye and tell them just exactly what's on your mind too! - ;)
After two more days of sun and history filled activity on Santorini such as ancient Acrotiri, you'll depart for Athens and and the next day be ready to continue your journey.
These itineraries can include island hopping with one, two or as many islands as you like options or substitutions. They all include nights in Athens which you may extend or cancel. (Santorini left with view of the caldera)
There is nothing you cant change including hotel category, ferry schedule class and speed and length of stay. Just Contact us for a free quote without obligation.
Contact us and we'll work with you through any itinerary scenarios at any cost level you wish to pursue. We'll fine tune your dreams into an affordable reality with dotted i 's and crossed t 's! All you have to do is open your welcome package on arrival for ferry tickets, hotel vouchers, maps and directions.
Free quotes without obligation.
What you Get: Harry's Itinerary No. 5 Minoan Magic
Athens - Crete - Santorini - includes 5 star accommodations, all transfers, driver!
- Hotel in Athens 5 star/4 star superior Acropolis View Double room with a/c and breakfast
- 10.00 Our driver will pick you up and take you on a private tour in air conditioned Mercedes. No professional guide - but the driver knows his onions and speaks perfect English. Acropolis tickets included
- 14.30: Your driver will deliver you to the airport
- 16.00 Aegean Airlines to Heraklion 2 tickets
- 17.00 Arrival Heraklion - your hire car is waiting
- Drive to Aghios Nicolas and your hotel
- 5 star deluxe hotel double room & breakfast
- Drive to the port re-deliver car - and boat to Santorini
- arrive Santorini meet & greet transfer to hotel
- 4star/5 star hotel/apt's with Caldera view and private balcony, air conditioned, swimming pool, breakfast
- 12.00 check out of your hotel room -
but you can still use the common facilities leave luggage, swim, snack, pool-side bar. - 15.00 transfer to the airport
- 16.30 Aegean Airlines flight to Athens
- 17.05 Arrival Athens - cross the street to the SOFITEL 5 star
Notes: This is first class all the way with the best hotels selected for your comfort and pleasure together with our private driver and tour. This vacation should be booked at least 3 months in advance to ensure availability of the hotels especially in Santorini. The time-tables are accurate, but can change according to the schedules printed later by the Airlines or ferries. The Car hire includes unlimited mileage and basic insurance.
Please click here to contact us about hotel options within Greece.
Dear All: First of all thanks for your prompt reply. I find your quotation very reasonable, so I´m positive we will use your services. However I would like to ask you to quote me the same tour with four star hotels also. If the difference is not to big, we would probably use those ones. All I´m waiting for is your information in order to make our decision. If you send me the new quotation I will book the tour by Monday.
Regards, Álvaro Artavia - General Manager - G4S Security Services - Costa Rica
Contact us about any island hopping itinerary you have in mind including Turkey.