Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Mykonos, Paros and Santorini Living the High Life in the Cyclades
Greece – Cyclades Islands – Mykonos – Paros – Santorini
Your adventure begins in Mykonos, an island beautiful by day and wild by night. As you stroll the maze of streets, you’ll find picturesque, whitewashed houses, pretty harbours where boats bob lazily and 365 blue-domed chapels. By night, it transforms into a vibrant town full of high spirits – the nightlife was kick-started in the 1960s by shipowners and Hollywood stars.
Next up is pretty Paros, the third largest island in the Cyclades and ancient centre of Cycladic civilisation. Hailed the Mother of the Arts, the island's pure marble quarries have been the source for many famous masterpieces of ancient sculpture. The modern traveller can discover a peaceful island today: orchards, olive groves, vineyards, windmills, and landscapes dotted with traditional whitewashed coastal villages.
Last but not least is Santorini, where whitewashed towns cascade down the edge of a volcanic crater. As you look up from the streets, you can’t miss the breathtaking cliffs (calderas) with their multicoloured layers of lava, ash and pumice. This romantic island combines the tranquillity of island life with stunning landscapes shaped by volcanic eruptions.
Itinerary
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.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
EXPLORE ANTIPAROS ISLAND ON A CRUISE IN A TRADITIONAL CAIQUE FISHING BOAT
Antiparos, with its wild and diverse landscapes, is just a little over a mile away from Paros. On the east coast, facing Paros, there are beautiful sandy beaches, while the west coast offers beautiful coves tucked at the foot of steep cliffs. Unlike other islands in the Cyclades, agriculture is still very much alive in Antiparos, where vineyards alternate with olive and fig trees. On board a traditional caique fishing boat, you can switch between sailing and swimming in crystal-clear waters.INTRODUCTION TO KITESURFING IN PAROS
Located on Paros' west side, Pounda provides the easiest conditions to learn kitesurfing. This lesson is your chance to try the sport safely alongside a qualified instructor. Suitable for anyone to try, you can learn the main techniques and quickly get out to enjoy that thrilling feeling of being pulled along in the water.
Why visit Greece with Original Travel ?
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