- Discover the archaeological wonders of the Acropolis and enjoy a food & wine tour around Athens’ local-beloved neighbourhoods
- Visit the “handmade island,” one of the rising island destinations in the Cyclades
- Be one of the first ones to explore Naxos, Greek paradise on earth, staying under the mainstream radar
- Encounter an untouched piece of true Greece, quaint and quiet, with no car traffic or tourist crowds
Off-the-beaten-path romance: Athens, Tinos, Naxos, Folegandros
Itinerary Information
Duration
12 nights / 13 days
Destinations
Athens, Tinos, Naxos, Folegandros
Keywords
quaint, seaside escapism, secluded
Georgia and Mark's Off-The-Beaten-Track Romantic Trip to Athens, Tinos, Naxos, Folegandros
Georgia and Mark happily retired from their banking careers and are now free artists in love with each other and the wild beauty of untouched landscapes. They reached out to us describing their vacation dream: a bespoke, utterly private trip to under-the-radar, inspiring, and lusciously beautiful Greek isles.
Aside from painting, Georgia loves gastronomy and wine, secluded wild beaches, strolling through narrow streets of small old European towns, sitting in the shade of trees drinking her morning coffee, and getting inspiration from watching the locals and their way of life. Mark, a fan of sea adventures and, as we found out, a great amateur chef himself, expressed his interest in trying out a cooking class in a little local village. He has always been fond of Greek myths and legends, and what is a better place to indulge his passion than Greece itself?
We designed a well-balanced 13-day trip for Georgia and Mark. They discovered the Acropolis’s myths and true secrets, enjoyed a food & wine tour around Athens’ local-beloved neighborhoods, and visited the island of Tinos, famous for its art. They continued their voyage by exploring Naxos, a luscious paradise off the beaten track. Mark had his dream come true by learning original old Greek recipes in a small mountain village. Finally, the couple experienced an authentic part of Greece, a quaint and quiet island with just 650 inhabitants. Mythesia’a travel designers arranged a private speed boat sea adventure around the island for our guests. According to Mark and Georgia, it was the perfect conclusion to their inspiring Greek experience.
Tour Highlights
Athens
Tinos
Naxos
Day to Day
Day to Day
This itinerary was created by Greek travel experts and is meant to inspire your next trip. We are delighted to customize it to suit your interests, tastes and budget so you can connect with local cultures and experience authentic travel on your own terms and departing whenever you choose.
- Day 1: Arrival in Athens – Hotel Transfer in Athens – Evening Food & Wine Tour
- Day 2: Private Acropolis Tour – Private Hotel Pick Up & Drop off at Athens Port – Sea Transfer to Tinos – Private Port Pick-Up and Hotel transfer in Tinos
- Day 3: Private tour of Tinos highlights
- Day 4: Free day in Tinos
- Day 5: Private Hotel Pick-Up in Tinos – Sea Transfer to Naxos – Private Hotel Drop-off in Naxos
- Day 6: Private walking tour of Naxos Old Town, Portara and Venetian Castle
- Day 7: Cooking Class in Naxos
- Day 8: Free day in Naxos
- Day 9: Private Hotel Pick-Up in Naxos – Sea Transfer to Folegandros – Private Hotel Drop-off in Folegandros
- Day 10: Private speed boat sea adventure around Folegandros
- Day 11: Free day in Folegandros
- Day 12: Private Port Drop-Off in Folegandros – Sea Transfer to Athens – Private Hotel Transfer in Athens
- Day 13: Departure. Private Transfer to Athens airport
DAY 1-2: ATHENS
Welcome to Athens, a necessary stop for all visitors to Greece due to its immense beauty, rich history and culture, and outstanding diversity in every aspect of life. After a private pick-up from Athens airport, let our driver take you to your boutique hotel to settle in. When the sun goes down, it is time to indulge your inner foodie! Go behind the scenes in Athens to taste authentic Greek cuisine on a food and walking tour led by a knowledgeable guide. Experience daily life in the city as you visit a variety of eateries and discover culinary gems that are favorites of the locals.
In the morning of day 2, after having breakfast at your hotel, climb the Acropolis Hill and marvel at the legendary Parthenon together with your private state-licensed guide who will share with you all the mythss and history that surround the sacred landmark. After that, let our driver take you to Athens port to board your ferry to Tinos. Once you get there, get transferred to your accommodation where you can spend a relaxing day.
DAY 3-4: TINOS
The next day, follow your local guide on a tour of Tinos that combines amazing natural scenery, tradition, culture and welcoming locals. Visit beautiful villages, like those of Pirgos and Volax, swim at the famous beach of the island Kolimbithra, admire the granite mountain of Exomvourgo, visit the marble crafts museum and walk around the Old Town of Tinos.
We have kept day five free for you to spend as you wish. You can choose to have a stroll through Tinos historical streets, known for its imposing church of Panagia Megalochari, or bask in the bright Greek sun and get a tan at one of the island’s lovely beaches.
DAY 5-8: NAXOS
On day 5, your private driver will take you to Tinos port in order to catch your ferry to Naxos. Chora, with the monumental ancient Portara gate at the edge of the harbor, the beach promenade with its taverns, and the medieval settlement of the castle that crowns the hill, is the first image when arriving in Naxos, and it will be enough to sweep you off your feet. Let your private driver take you to your hotel to settle in and enjoy the rest of the day with your significant other.
On day 6, let a local give you an insider’s view of Naxos Old Town. Admire historic buildings of the Venetian era, like the Catholic Cathedral and Glezos Tower, observe the daily life within the walls of the still inhabited castle, enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in the arms of your partner through a majestic Portara, remnants of Apollo temple of 530 BC.
They say that love goes through the stomach and Greece is the perfect place to test that theory! On day 7, take part in a traditional wood-fire cooking class and find out all the secrets of one of the tastiest cuisines in the world. Visit a traditional village and use local, fresh, and organic ingredients—such as homegrown vegetables, which you can pick from the garden. Then, once the dishes are prepared, feast on the fruits of your labor at the end.
The following day, you have free time to spend it as you wish, enjoying crystal clear blue waters of the Aegean, amazing Greek cuisine and the rich history and culture of Naxos island.
DAY 9-12: FOLEGANDROS
On day 9, let your private driver take you to Naxos port and catch the ferry to Folegandros, an undiscovered gem of the Aegean Sea. After being transported to your accommodation, spend the day at your leisure discovering this off-the-beaten-path destination that captivates the visitors with the untouched beauty of its beaches, the luminous blue of its waters, and the unadulterated style of its architecture.
The next day is time for you to hop on your private speed boat and enjoy a cruise around the island’s hidden coves, secluded sea caves, beaches only accessible by a boat. During the tour our local experts will guide you through the island, its history, its interesting geology, as well as its underwater life. You will have the opportunity to learn about the locals’ lifestyle, the architecture and the traditions of Folegandros.
On day 11, you have the time to fall in love head over heels with the island if you haven’t done it yet! Feel like a local eating in small traditional taverns, drinking Greek coffee and spending your free time strolling around the streets of Chora.
In the evening of day 12, let us arrange for you a private transfer to Folegandros port and a ferry ride to Athens. After your arrival in Athens port, you will meet your driver who will take you to your accommodation in the capital for overnight.
DAY 13: ATHENS
On day 13, have your driver pick you up from your hotel and take you to Athens airport early enough so you can catch your international flight back home. Your incredible trip to Greece may have reached its end, but you’ll go home full of experiences you and your better half will always remember!
Inclusions
- Hand-picked accommodation at all destinations (breakfast included)
- Private Transfer to Athens hotel
- Private Tour of Acropolis with skip-the-line tickets
- Athens by night food & wine tour
- Ferry tickets to Tinos
- Private hotel drop-off in Tinos
- Private sightseeing tour of Tinos with transportation
- Private transfer to Tinos port
- Sea transfer to Naxos
- Private pick-up from Naxos port
- Private highlights tour of Naxos with hotel pick-up & drop-off
- Naxos cooking class with hotel pick-up & drop-off
- Private transfer to Naxos port
- Sea transfer from Naxos to Folegandros
- Private Pick Up from Folegandros port
- Private speed boat full-day experience of Folegandros
- Private transfer to Folegandros Port
- Sea transfer to Athens
- Private Pick-Up from Athens airport
- Private Drop-Off at Athens airport
Exclusions
- Archaeological Sites & Museums entrance fees unless specified
- Meals unless mentioned in the itinerary
- All personal expenses not detailed in the itinerary & personal travel insurance
- International flights
Testimonial
Our trip to Greece planned by this travel agency was a romantic getaway we’ll never forget. From the intimate accommodations to the secluded beaches, everything was perfect. Our travel designer’s attention to detail made our trip seamless and stress-free, and we felt like we were in our own little world. – Off-the-beaten-path romance: Athens, Tinos, Naxos, Folegandros