Premium Greece Cyclades Islands

Pickpocketing can be an issue in Athens, especially on public transport. Make sure you keep your valuables concealed and secure while travelling on the metro or bus and you should have no problems.

Summer temperatures in Greece can reach up to 40°C, so you will need to be able to cope with the heat if you're visiting at this time. Please consider the time of year and your suitability for visiting during that season.

What you need to bring will vary according to the trip style you have chosen, the countries you are visiting and when you are travelling. We recommend you pack as lightly as possible, ensuring that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Help will be on hand in most locations, but there may be times you need to handle your own luggage, for example in airports and train stations.

A lockable suitcase with wheels is ideal for this trip. It is recommended that you keep your main luggage weight around 15kg and certainly no more than 20kg. A small or medium-sized backpack (45-50 litres) is another good option.

You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, camera, jacket, etc. when you’re exploring during the day.

Below is a link to our ultimate packing list, a guide to get you started:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. 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. Your group leader or local representative will advise whether tap water is safe to drink in your destination, and if it is, you can simply refill it with tap water. When unable to avoid bottled water, it is better to buy the largest available and distribute it into your smaller bottle for the day. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip you will need to carry at least 2L of water with you., Monasteries in Greece require women to wear a long skirt, or wrap over pants. Men must wear long trousers. Shoulders must also be covered.

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.

The Athenaeum Hotel, 4, Vouliagmenis Avenue & Kallirois street,, Athens, Athens, GR 11743, GREECE, Phone: +30 2121071800

The Athnaeum hotel is located within walking distance of the Acropolis and the temple of Olympian Zeus. It features 52 rooms & suites some with view to the Acropolis or Temple of Olympian Zeus,
Roof Garden Restaurant , Plunge Hydromassage Pool (12 sq.m)
Fitness Area, Sauna, Eco-friendly construction, 24-hour reception
24-hour room service at extra charge,, Air conditioning and heating, Wi-Fi internet access, Luggage Room, Laundry & dry cleaning services at extra charge

Alternate Joining Point

Pre booked arrival transfer from Athens Airport: Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel. Your transfer driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall, holding a board with the Intrepid Logo or your name. 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 emergency number : +30 2103390660 , Mob: +30 6932337788

Taxis are readily available outside the arrivals hall at Athens International Airport (airport code ATH). The journey to central Athens takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes and costs around EUR 50, depending on the time of day. You can also take metro line 3 directly to Syntagma square. Trains run every 30 min from 06:35 till 23:35, and the journey takes about 45 minutes. Please mind your personal belongings at all times, as pick-pocketing is not unheard of.

El Greco Hotel, Fira Town, Santorini, GR 11743, GREECE

El Greco Resort is located within only 10 minutes walking distance from the center, right on the main road that leads to Fira Town, Capital of the Island. Nearby Attractions are The Greek Orthodox Cathedral, The Catholic Cathedral, The cable car and the old port, The Archeological Museum, the Prehistoric Museum, shops, restaurants and nightclubs.Hotel Facilities: 24-Hour Reception / Front Desk, Bar, Daily Maid Service, Gym, Internet Corner, Jaccuzi Swimming Pool, Laundry & Ironing Service, Parking Area, Pool Sunbeds & Umbrellas, Restaurant, Safe Deposit Box, Wi-Fi Internet Access.

Alternate Finish Point

For trips departing on the following dates
use this finish point.
11 May 2025 (ZVPI250511)
18 May 2025 (ZVPI250518)
25 May 2025 (ZVPI250525)
27 May 2025 (ZVPI250527)
08 Jun 2025 (ZVPI250608)
22 Jun 2025 (ZVPI250622)
29 Jun 2025 (ZVPI250629)
20 Jul 2025 (ZVPI250720)
24 Aug 2025 (ZVPI250824)
31 Aug 2025 (ZVPI250831)
07 Sep 2025 (ZVPI250907)
14 Sep 2025 (ZVPI250914)
23 Sep 2025 (ZVPI250923)
28 Sep 2025 (ZVPI250928)
07 Oct 2025 (ZVPI251007)
10 May 2026 (ZVPI260510)
17 May 2026 (ZVPI260517)
24 May 2026 (ZVPI260524)
26 May 2026 (ZVPI260526)
07 Jun 2026 (ZVPI260607)
21 Jun 2026 (ZVPI260621)
28 Jun 2026 (ZVPI260628)
19 Jul 2026 (ZVPI260719)
23 Aug 2026 (ZVPI260823)
30 Aug 2026 (ZVPI260830)
06 Sep 2026 (ZVPI260906)
13 Sep 2026 (ZVPI260913)
22 Sep 2026 (ZVPI260922)
27 Sep 2026 (ZVPI260927)
06 Oct 2026 (ZVPI261006)
El Greco Hotel
Fira Town
Santorini
GR 11743
GREECE

El Greco Hotel is located in Fira a vibrant place full of life and excitement just 10 minutes walk from city center and capital village of Santorini, and only a few meters away from the cliff of the caldera and the breathtaking panoramic view of the volcano. El Greco Resrot & Spa welcomes you in a place that combines simplicity with beauty and can make your stay in our resort a truly unforgettable experience. Biggest hotel in Santorini Island. Offers an adult only spa center, 5 outdoor swimming pools and 1 indoor pool. Athinios is the main port of Santorini and lies approximately 10 kilometers away from Fira. You can always find a bus from the port to the capital or you can take a taxi for a more convenient transfer. The National Airport of Santorini is situated in the village of Kamari, only 5 kilometers away from the main Town of Fira and El Greco Hotel. To reach Fira Town from the airport, one can either take a taxi or a bus that departs from the airport station. Furthermore, from the capital, there are connections to other settlements.

Breakfasts included: 8

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.

VEGETARIANS
Vegetarians might find the menu selection in Europe less varied than they would see at home. Vegetarianism is not as common in this region and generally the choices are basic, involving vegetables, soups, salads, bread, cheese, fruit, yoghurt, eggs etc. Vegans and those on gluten-free diets may find this region very challenging and may need to supplement meals with their own supplies from supermarkets and markets. Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs for any included meals, but there may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own.

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

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.

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Intrepid local operator : Available for phone call on: +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.

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.

CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels 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.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

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

GREEK FERRIES
The main means of transportation in the Greek Islands is by public ferry. These ferries are large car ferries that transport hundreds of people, along with cars and trucks. There are no reserved seats and passengers are free to walk around the ferry freely. Luggage is stored in a designated area on the car deck and is not accessible while the ferry is moving.

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.