Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
History & Hidden Gems Athens and the Cyclades
Greece – Serifos – Folegandros – Athens
Your next stop is the pocket-sized island of Serifos, reached by ferry from Athens. Hire car keys in hand, explore the island at your own pace and make the most of its many white-sand beaches. Intersperse the sun, sea and sand with some more history and culture at the Chora Museum with its fascinating displays of archaeological excavations.
Folegandros is your next destination, another off-the-beaten-track Cycladic island, nestled near its much more famous sibling, Santorini. Take a boat trip around the island to see its whitewashed villages from the water and stop off at secluded coves along the way. Both islands boast outstanding, authentic Grecian cuisine – just ask your local Concierge for their favourite food recommendations. Along with the holiday snaps and souvenirs, you might be heading home with some fresh recipe inspiration too...
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Begin your big Greek adventure with a flight to Athens, which takes around three hours and 40 minutes. On arrival, take a private transfer to your city hotel, where you’re staying for one night.
Then, spend the rest of the day exploring the hills of Athens alongside a local guide to get a feel for this historic city. At the foot of the Acropolis lies Plaka, one of Europe's oldest neighbourhoods, where a wealth of archaeological sites sit alongside Byzantine churches and Neoclassical buildings. Begin this guided tour near the Benaki Museum, nestled in a maze of narrow lanes and small squares. Continue to the small village of Anafiotika, an old-world gem built by Anafi emigrants in the 19th century, where winding streets weave between white-washed houses. Conclude the tour with a picnic of Greek meze and local wine on Filopapou Hill, while enjoying panoramic views over the city.
Rise early this morning to catch your boat to Serifos and start your sojourn in the Cyclades. The ferry ride should take between two and four hours, followed by a private transfer to your hotel for the next three nights. Serifos remains an under-the-radar destination (for now), where villages stretch out like strings of white pearls along the water's edge and across the hillsides. One of the main landmarks in Serifos is a marble watchtower dating back to the Hellenistic period, alongside a windmill and the remains of a Venetian castle.
A hire car will be delivered to your hotel, so you’re free to explore the island at your own pace over the next couple of days. Make the most of the island’s abundant white-sand beaches, discover archaeological excavations at the Chora Museum, enjoy the stunning coastal scenery and visit the Taxiarchis monastery, built in 1572.
Today, it’s time to say a fond farewell to Serifos and head to your next island destination. Take a private transfer to the port, before catching a ferry over to Folegandros. Pick up your new hire car on arrival and drive to your hotel, which is your home for three nights.
Folegandros is small Cycladic island situated near Santorini and Milos, famed for being an authentic Greek haven. Its trio of villages – Chora, Karavostasi and Ano Meria – consist of narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, with village life moving peacefully to the rhythm of trotting mules' hoofs. Hop in your hire car to drive to secluded beaches like Agali, or hike scenic walking trails to reach other secret spots, including Livadaki. After a busy beach day, spend the evening enjoying traditional Greek meze at a restaurant recommended by your local Concierge.
Spend the next two days on Folegandros exploring its golden beaches, soaking up the sunshine and embracing the laid-back pace of island life. Your stay here will be a true lesson in relaxation, with little more to do than wander through the dinky towns, lounge beside the sea and sample delectable Greek cuisine (it’s a tough life).
Getting out on the water is one of the best ways to visit Folegandros’ harder-to-reach coves and beaches, so we’ve included a private half-day boat trip in your itinerary. Stop off along the way to swim and snorkel in the turquoise Aegean Sea, admiring the island’s scenery from a fresh perspective. Back on dry land, tuck into a Grecian feast of courgette fritters, slow-cooked stews, fresh seafood and sourotenia (a famous local pie filled with cheese and onions). As you savour the fine flavours of Folegandros, raise a glass of local wine to toast to a memorable trip.
Sadly, your adventure around the secret Cyclades comes to a close today. After a fabulous three days on Folegandros, take a two-hour boat ride to Santorini, which is the closest island with an international airport.
Possibly the most famous of the Cyclades islands, Santorini is renowned for its rugged volcanic landscape and sugar cube villages clinging to the cliffsides. If you have time to spare before your flight home, we can arrange a transfer to a nearby town for a final Grecian meal, giving you a quick taste of the island’s food and views. Whether you have a day or evening flight, your private transfer will get you to the airport in good time for your flight home, which lands in the UK a mere three hours and 40 minutes later.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
SEE MORE ON MILOS
Where does the famed statue, the Venus de Milo originate? From Milos, of course – the most south-westerly of the Cyclades. The marble Greek goddess symbolises the island’s mineral wonders and volcanic nature. Erosion has done the work of an artist in creating beautiful, natural rock formations that are best admired from the water or a clifftop walking trail. During your time here, you can also visit beautiful villages like Plaka and Pollonia to sample local life. And with 70 blissful beaches to choose from around the island, there are no shortage of spots to sunbathe, swim or play in the waves.
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
