Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Greece - Cyclades Islands
100% customisable for you
Your island-hopping Cycladic adventure begins today, so head to the airport for your three-hour-and-45-minute flight to Mykonos.
Upon arrival, you’ll be taken by private transfer to your hotel for the next three nights, located near one of the town’s best beaches, and slightly set back from the bustle. Mykonos might be best known as Greece’s answer to Ibiza, but you’ll soon see it has plenty of quiet charm to discover, too...
Your stay in Mykonos includes a visit to the sacred island of Delos, located a picturesque 30-minute boat ride away. This largely uninhabited UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. Legend has it that twins Apollo, god of light, and Artemis, goddess of the hunt and moon, were born here, and the ancient town that sprang up here became a shrine.
Ready for some chill out time? Take a dip at Agios Stefanos or Psarou Beach, known for their crystalline waters and flour-soft sand. Enjoy the silence at the Monastery of Panagia Tourliani, laze under the eucalyptus trees in the peaceful village of Ano Mera or sip a glass of ouzo as you watch the sunset. For cinephiles (and plant lovers), the Cine Manto outdoor cinema is a must-visit spot set in a beautiful botanical garden, complete with a bar and restaurant.
Today, take a private transfer to the port of Mykonos, before hopping on a boat to the crowd-pleasing island of Paros (taking anywhere between 35 minutes and 90 minutes). Upon arrival, pick up your hire car and drive to your hotel for the next four nights. Your calm oasis is ideally located near Kolymbithres Beach, famous for its rock formations, coves and natural pools, and the upbeat fishing town of Naoussa, both just a short drive away.
With its laidback beaches, boutique shops and impressive culinary scene, it’s no wonder Paros was recently crowned ‘Best Island in the World’ by the travel publication, Travel + Leisure. Luckily, you’ll have plenty of time to see for yourself. Readers praised its delicious seafood, excellent shopping, picture-perfect blue and white villages, world-class resorts and the sparkling Aegean Sea around every corner. We also love Paros’ Golden Beach for windsurfing lessons, where the Meltemi winds blow all summer.
For history buffs, Parikia, the island’s capital, is a treasure trove of ancient churches, castle ruins and Byzantine museums – don’t miss the beautiful fourth-century Church of 100 doors. You could also catch a cruise around Antiparos, about a mile away, a dinky island awash with sandy beaches, vineyards, fig trees and olive groves.
Say goodbye to Paros as you drive to the port and hop on a ferry to the island of Santorini. For the next two nights, you’ll be staying in a clifftop hotel with stunning sea views, overlooking Skaros Rock, once a 13th-century Byzantine fortress, and now a popular hiking destination.
The rest of the day is yours to play with. Perhaps you’d like to take a boat trip to the nearby volcanic islands of Nea Kameni and Thirassia. Feeling the heat? Opt for a stroll around the local villages of Monolithos, Messaria or Vothonas for shady streets, or visit the public part of the Monastery of St Catherine, moments away from Santorini’s world-famous volcanic cliffs. While Fira and Oia are popular villages, tranquil Emporio is one of the largest with colourful, Medieval architecture, a Venetian castle, and pretty, maze-like streets.
This morning, enjoy coffee al fresco and traditional pastries at a local café before heading out on a guided island tour, which lasts for around six hours and includes a delicious lunch. Santorini is thought to have inspired the Lost City of Atlantis myth, written about by Plato. Built in 1450 BC on an ancient volcano, the island was shaped by a dramatic volcanic eruption and encircles an impressive marine crater.
Your tour begins in Pyrgos and its 15th-century castle, before you head to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, an ancient city preserved under volcanic ash. Next, visit the white cliffs of Vlichada, the sandy, black beach of Perivolos, and the beautiful vineyards of Megalochori, where we’ll organise lunch and a wine tasting at one of the island's finest wineries. Oia is the final stop on the tour, a village famous for its chalk-white houses and cliff-perched caves overlooking the deep-blue sea.
Sadly, your Greek island adventure has come to an end and it’s time to pack away your sunnies and swimwear. After one last breakfast, you’ll be taken by private transfer to the airport. Non-stop flights to the UK take just over four hours – with a camera roll full of beach shots to scroll through, the time will fly by.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
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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We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
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