The Best of Greek Islands

As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change., On Day 8 one part of the trip will finish, and you will be given all necessary instructions and ferry tickets from Santorini to Heraklion, as well as hotel voucher. You will meet your new group and possibly a new leader on Day 9 at the Welcome meeting in Heraklion., The main means of transportation on this trip is by public ferry. These ferries are large car ferries that transport hundreds of people, along with cars and trucks. In most cases there are no reserved seats and passengers are free to walk around the ferry. Luggage is stored in a designated area on the car deck and is not accessible while the ferry is moving., We recommend packing light and smart for this trip as you'll be required to carry your own luggage between ports and hotels, which can include going up and down multiple flights of stairs, up and down steep inclines and across cobblestones., The Greek Islands are very hilly and mountainous, which means lots and lots of steps. The cobblestone streets also become very slippery when wet. Some people may find Greece's topography very demanding., Summer temperatures can be extreme in this region (over 40C/104F). It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Europe have fans, not air conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to limited availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Most travellers prefer to take a small to medium wheeled suitcase, which is a great size for the packing capacity in our private vehicles. Whatever you take, be mindful that you will need to be able to carry your own luggage, handle it at airports, take it in/out of accommodation and perhaps even walk short distances. We recommend you pack as lightly as possible.

If your trip includes travelling on overnight trains or primarily using public transport, the smaller your luggage, the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful, especially when travelling on public transportation as well.

When you're exploring during the day, you'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, a camera, a jacket and activity-specific items like a swimsuit, a waterproof pouch/bag for your phone, or hiking shoes.

Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. When unable to avoid bottled water, it is better to buy the largest available and distribute it into your smaller bottle for the day. Some travellers like to bring a bottle with its own filtration system or water purification tablets. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip, you will need to carry at least 2 litres of water with you., Most hotels in Greece would not offer to rent a beach towel, so please bring one with you, or purchase one locally.

This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Some trips may have individual inclusions that may be of a higher physical rating compared to the overall rating of the trip. Please read the day-to-day itinerary carefully to find out more details on each day's activities, and whether they are suitable for you. Activities can be opted out of if you don't want to participate.

CALDERA HIKE ON SANTORINI
Please note that the hike along the caldera from Thira to Oia on Santorini usually takes approximately 3-5 hours (12 km), and the surface varies between gravel and loose volcanic scree. There are multiple uphill and downhill sections, and there are no shade and no toilet facilities along the way. Please speak to your leader for more details if you have any concerns. As an alternative to the hike you can take the bus to Oia instead, and meet up with the rest of the group there.

Please be aware that some of the Greek Islands are hilly and mountainous, which means steps are an inherent feature of the landscape. You will have to be able to easily lift your luggage and carry it up and down stairs and inclines. Please note that some people may find Greece's topography demanding.

Summer temperatures can be extreme in this region (over 40C/104F). It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Many hotels in Europe have fans, not air conditioning. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

Attalos Hotel, 29 Athinas Street, Monastiraki, Athens, 10554, GREECE, Phone: +30 2103212801

Attalos Hotel is situated in the historic district of Monastiraki in the centre of Athens, ideally located for sightseeing at just 10 minutes walk from Syntagma Square and 100 metres from Monastiraki metro station. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning, TV, phone, and are fully equipped with modern facilities. There is a roof top garden and bar that provides a great view of the Acropolis.

Alternate Joining Point

Metered taxis are readily available at Athens Airport (airport code ATH). Alternatively, you can take metro line 3 to Monastiraki Metro Station. From Piraeus port you can take metro line 1 or 3 to Monastiraki. From there it is a short 2-minute walk to the hotel. Exit the station through the Athinas Street exit. Turn left immediately and walk along Athinas Street for about 200 meters. The hotel will be on your left-hand side. Please note that we have had reports of Travellers being pickpocketed on public transport in Athens. Please be careful with valuables whilst travelling on the metro or the bus.

Pre booked arrival transfer from Athens Airport (ATH): If you have pre booked an arrival transfer, drivers will be waiting for guests at the arrival point in the Airport Arrival Hall (Section A or B), holding an Intrepid sign. In the unlikely event that a guest does not meet their driver at Arrival Hall A or B, they should proceed to the designated area at EXIT 4 (directly opposite the pharmacy), where an assistant will be available to help locate their driver. In case of flight cancellations, changes, if you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +30 694 561 3427

Arkadi Hotel, 1866 Square, Chania Town, Greece, Chania, 73100, GREECE, Phone: +30 2821090181

Boasting a privileged location in the city center of Chania, Arkadi Hotel is an alluring 3-star hotel that combines captivating design with stellar services and contemporary amenities for a truly memorable stay, be it business or pleasure. Its fully renovated premises encompass 64 rooms, designed to accommodate travelers, couples, and small families, and equipped with modern facilities for a remarkable stay at an affordable rate. Arkadi Ηotel is open year-round, and it’s an exceptional choice for exploring the city’s fascinating attractions and delving into each unique experience that Chania has to offer at a leisurely pace.One of the features that make Arkadi Hotel stand out as one of the best hotels in Chania is its unbeatable location, right in the heart of the city center, just a five-minute walk away from the famous Old Town and the enchanting Venetian Harbor.

Alternate Finish Point

Its central location will allow you to explore the city and enjoy all of its wonders, while always being within walking distance of your room for a good night’s sleep, without worrying about transportation.You can easily reach Interntional airport of Chania “Ioannis Daskalogiannis” (14km) from Arkadi Hotel or the port of Souda (6.5km) from Chania bus station (KTEL) (250m), there are regular buses to prot or airport or you can also request a taxi or minibus transfer for the airport or the port by contacting hotel reception.

Breakfasts included: 12

Lunches included: 1

Dinners included: 2

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

HOT WEATHER
Summer temperatures can reach up to 40 degrees Celsius, which can be uncomfortable for those not used to the heat. Please consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time., For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us, In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

, If you have booked an arrival transfer, and you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find to the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly on the number listed in the joining point instructions in the section above., Intrepid's Local Operator (Europe): +49 8024 4679 540

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

, EUROPEAN HOTELS
Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Rooms can be rather small, especially by American or Australian standards.

Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.

STRIKES
Ferry strikes, bad weather and the general unpredictable nature of Greek public transport means you need to be prepared for possible delays and itinerary changes.