Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Greece - Athens - Patmos
100% customisable for you
Rise and shine, today marks the beginning of your Greek getaway. Head to the airport, whizz through security, then relax in the lounge with some refreshments as you await departure. A breezy three-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK lands you in the Greek capital, where a private driver will be waiting to escort you to the first hotel of your trip.
Settle in for two nights and spend the rest of today taking in your new surroundings. We recommend turning to your destination-specific Dossier to find our favorite eateries in the area. Enjoy a cocktail or glass of bubbly and soak up the bustling Athenian atmosphere as you celebrate the first night of your holiday.
Today is your only full day in Athens, so wake up bright and early. Our local guide will be on hand to give a guided tour, share their history knowledge, insider tips and love for the city. The tour is tailored to your interests, so let your guide know what you’re most eager to see. There’s no shortage of sights – Ancient Greece is said to have laid the foundations of Western civilisation as a centre for arts, learning and philosophy, after all.
For history buffs, there’s a wealth of monuments to explore, while others may opt to peruse the characterful bookstores, designer boutiques and independent art galleries. Looming large over the city is the Parthenon, an intact temple in the centre of the Acropolis that displays the might of Ancient Greece and pays homage to the Athenian landscape. Beyond this, sites such as the Athens National Garden remind us that the city has gracefully stepped into the 21st century.
Spend today enjoying Athens before travelling to the idyllic island of Patmos later this evening. We recommend delving deeper into the more contemporary side of Greece with visits to neighbourhoods such as Kypseli, Exarcheia or Pangrati. These cultural enclaves boast a host of diverse markets, multi-era architecture and bustling sports stadiums. Must-see spots include the Panathenaic Stadium, built for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. You could also take a trip to the statue of Pericles, a magnificent representation of the fierce fight for democracy and power in the fifth century BC. This evening, a private driver will collect you and transfer you to Piraeus, where you’ll board an overnight ferry to Patmos.
Wake up to a different view this morning as your ferry pulls into the port of Patmos. A private driver will be waiting to greet and guide you to your home for the next five nights: a traditional waterfront property set in serene and secluded surroundings. Traditional tavernas dishing out tasty local fare line the pebbly bay, which is lapped by crystal-clear Aegean waters. After checking into your hotel, spend the rest of your first day and evening settling into the rhythm of island life. You could head out for a quick drive in your rental car, which is yours for the next four days.
Patmos is a haven of tranquillity where tourists and locals enjoy life at a slower pace. Enjoy the pristine coastline, hike into the nearby hills for views across the azure Aegean and swim or sail in the crystal-clear waters of Grikos Bay.
Further afield, beaches worth visiting include Lampi and its multicolored pebbles to the north, Livadi Geranou to the northeast and Psili Ammos to the south. Bird spotters can marvel at the collection of swans and herons that take refuge in the protected wetlands around Grikos, while botanists can enjoy the wealth of flora found in Koumaro Forest, one of only three surviving Arbutus forests in Greece.
Feeling peckish? Order xynomyzithra and kalathoto cheeses and stuffed zucchini flowers alongside your evening aperitifs. Beyond its vast natural beauty, Patmos is also celebrated for its historic and religious relics – the UNESCO-listed Cave of the Apocalypse is the star of the show (and a must-visit site).
Spend your final day on Patmos making the most of island life or visiting any sites you might have missed. Later this afternoon, a private driver will collect you from your hotel and whisk you back to the port, where you’ll board the overnight ferry back to Athens.
Depending on your scheduled flight, you may have some time to enjoy Athens at your own pace today. When it’s time to head to the airport, a private driver will collect you and drop you off at the terminal. After whizzing through security, pick up any last-minute souvenirs before enjoying some downtime. The flight back to the UK is around three-and-a-half hours, enough time to relax, reminisce and organise your photos before touching down.
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.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
