Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
The Charm of Amorgos and Naxos From the Ocean to the Land
Greece – Athens – Naxos – Amorgos
Next, head to Naxos, the quintessential Greek island of the Cyclades. Here, discover the best of the island’s (and Greece’s) culinary offerings on a private gourmet tour with lots of tastings, from lemony local liqueurs to Naxian cheeses. The final stop on your Aegean adventure is Amorgos, a more remote and blissfully secluded island, boasting peaceful villages and plenty of hiking routes through the stunning landscapes. And, of course, more of the delicious flavours you’ve come to expect from this heavenly, foodie-friendly holiday.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Begin your dreamy Cycladic island-hopping holiday by flying four hours to Athens, where you’ll be met upon arrival and privately transferred to your hotel in the city.
Spend the rest of your travel day settling in and venturing out to explore the Greek capital. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, our local Concierge can recommend some wonderful restaurants for dinner to kick off the foodie side of your holiday.
Today’s your chance to get to know Athens a little better on a private e-bike tour of the city. Strap on your helmet and cycle through the streets of this ancient metropolis, enjoying spectacular views, marvelling at the most impressive contemporary monuments and learning about its history. This eight-mile guided tour takes you across the city, ticking off landmarks like Syntagma Square, Panepistimiou Street, Athens Street, Kotzia Square, Varvakios Market, Aiolou Street, Ermou Street and the Cathedral. By dinnertime (and your next delicious Greek meal), this captivating capital might well be one of your new favourites.
It’s time to depart Athens and set off in the direction of your first Greek island. Today, your travel options are either a three-and-a-half-hour ferry or 40-minute flight from Athens to Naxos. Whichever route you prefer, a private transfer will be waiting to whisk you to the port or airport, ready to depart.
After arriving on the sunny shores of Naxos, collect your hire car for the drive to your hotel and home for the next four nights. As the largest of the Cycladic Islands, Naxos is blessed with sunlit villages and dazzling beaches, lapped by the azure Aegean Sea. Legend has it that Dionysus taught the art of winemaking here and Theseus confronted the Minotaur; today, olive trees are cultivated in abundance and marble quarries provide a unique raw material for sculptors and craftsmen, turning the island’s bounty into works of art.
Spend your time on Naxos relaxing on the sun-soaked beaches and exploring this heavenly isle. Discovering the region’s culinary treats is another must, and we can organise a private gourmet food tour. Alongside a local guide, get lost in the maze of cobbled streets that make up Naxos and learn about the secrets of Greece's lush land and beautiful produce. Sample Kitron, a liqueur made from the fruit and leaves of the citron tree, try five Naxian cheeses (including the famous Graviera) and taste some local wines. The tour continues with lemon, bergamot and sage flavoured sweets and ends with a visit to the island's Venetian citadel. Island life never tasted so good.
Say a fond farewell to Naxos today as you set sail for your next idyllic island. Drop off your hire car at the port before taking the hour-and-a-half ferry from Naxos to Amorgos, just a scenic hop across the sparkling waters of the Aegean.
Upon arrival, collect your new rental car and drive to your Cycladic hotel, where you'll stay for the next four nights. Once again, our local Concierge can suggest the best supper spots for unwinding after your long travel day. Refuel with souvlaki, halloumi and moussaka, before getting a good night’s sleep in your luxurious hotel room.
Thanks to its remoteness, Amorgos is free from tourist crowds and remains relatively unspoiled. Remarkable archaeological ruins and peaceful villages punctuate the interior, while hiking routes snake along the stunning coastline and through ancient olive fields.
Tasting rakomelo, a spiced honey liqueur, is a must during your stay, and so is climbing the 300 steps that lead to Panagia Hozoviotissa, a monastery carved out of rock (rest assured, it’s well worth the effort). We’ll also arrange a private guided hike to the Chora gardens in Katapola: beginning in the town of Chora, the island’s capital, you’ll meander along the Fonias River and see the breathtaking landscapes of Katapola Valley. Once you reach the gardens, taste some local organic farm produce – because, as you know by now, no holiday to Greece is ever short on flavour.
Sadly, your Grecian adventure comes to an end today – but not before you quickly tick off another Greek island as you (very briefly) transit through Mykonos, the closest island with an international airport.
After dropping your hire car at the port on Amorgos, catch the ferry to Mykonos, which takes just under three hours. Shortly after setting foot on this new island (and soaking up those precious last moments of Mediterranean sun), take a private transfer to the airport for your four-hour flight home to the UK.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
THE ATHENS ACROPOLIS & THE NEW MUSEUM
During the latter half of the fifth century BC, Athens gained ascendancy over the other cities of the ancient world. It was during this rich period that artistic, political and philosophical thought flourished, and Pericles – an Athenian statesman – decided to bring his ambitious architectural designs to life. The rocky hill of Athens was transformed, and the key monuments of the Acropolis were built. The New Museum is home to more than 350 archaeological relics and sculptures, exhibiting ceramics, bas-reliefs and antique sculptures from places of worship. Accompanied by a private guide, embark on an immersive journey as they let you in on ancient secrets and stories.INTRODUCTION TO DIVING ON AMORGOS
The crystal-clear waters bordering Amorgos are ideal for an introductory diving session. The seabed stuns in all its colours and shapes – it's no wonder it’s been the setting for a whole host of films. Guided by an experienced instructor, learn how to use the diving equipment and familiarise yourself with the basic safety rules before your entry-level exploration of the underwater world begins.SAILING THE SEAS AROUND NAXOS
The coasts of Naxos are a seafarer’s paradise, so exploring its waters by boat is sure to give you a fresh perspective of the island. Sail towards the cave at Rina Bay, which can only be reached by swimming, where you can don a mask and snorkel before weaving between the stalactites lining the rocky dome. The next port of call is Kalados Bay, followed by the secluded beaches of Schinoussa – and wherever else your experienced skipper suggests during this delightful day at sea.
Why visit Greece with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Greece
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
