In Search of Slowness: From Athens to the Aegean

Today is your only full day in Athens, so wake up bright and early. Your guide for the day is an enthusiastic local, who will be on hand to assist, guide and educate you as you stroll through one of the world’s most storied metropolises. The walk is relaxed and based around you, so you can be totally spontaneous. History buffs will surely delight at the wealth of monuments and ancient vestiges that formed the base of human society; while culture enthusiasts may opt to get lost in a maze of characterful bookstores, designer boutiques and independent art galleries. Looming large over the whole 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 stereotypical Athenian landscape. Beyond this, sites like the Athens National Garden remind us that Athens has gracefully stepped into the 21st century.

Spend today savouring your final taste of Athens before sailing 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. Make sure to take a glance into the Panathenaic Stadium to soak in the birthplace of the modern Olympic Games, revived in 1896. You could also take a trip to the statue of Pericles, a magnificent representation of the fierce fight for democracy and political and cultural power in the fifth century BC. This evening, a private driver will collect you and transfer you to Piraeus, where you’ll board a night ferry to Patmos.

Wake up to a different view this morning as you pull into the port of Patmos. A private driver will be waiting here to greet and guide you to your home for the next five nights: a traditional waterfront property south of Grikos. The surrounding area is serene and secluded. Traditional taverns dishing out tasty local fare line the pebbly bay, beyond which lie the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean. 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 and get to grips with your rental car (which you’ll have at your disposal for the next four days), or you could simply kick back and enjoy the luxurious facilities at your hotel, which include a spa and pool.

Patmos is far from a clubber's paradise; it’s a haven of peace and tranquillity where tourists and locals alike enjoy life at a slower pace. Enjoy the string of pristine coastline that stretches either side of you, 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 making a trip to include Lampi and its multicolored pebbles to the north, Livadi Geranou to the northeast and Psili Ammos to the south. Ornithologists can delight in the collection of swans and herons that take refuge in the protected wetlands around Grikos, while botanists can marvel at the wealth of flora found in Koumaro Forest, one of only three surviving Arbutus forests in Greece. As for the gastronomes, xynomyzithra and kalathoto cheeses alongside some stuffed zucchini flowers make for an exquisite aperitif. Beyond its vast natural beauty, Patmos is also celebrated as a treasure chest of historic and religious relics, which you can easily discover with your hire car. The UNESCO-listed Cave of the Apocalypse is the star of the show. This half-chapel, half-cave construction is said to have been the location where the apostle St John the Theologian experienced the visions that would later become immortalised in the Bible’s Book of Revelation (or Apocalypse). There is also the castle and monastery of the same apostle, which stands tall over the charming medieval streets of Patmos. Head here with a local historian-guide to learn all about the centuries-old tales. The architecture of the enclosure, with its intimate courtyards and dazzling frescoes, is quite the sight. And finally, when you’re ready for some hustle, bustle and hedonistic fun, head to the lovely port and town of Skala for some wining and dining.

Spend your final day on Patmos relishing the sweet taste 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.