Three-Generation-Trip to Greece: the rich history of Athens and the cosmopolitan Islands of Crete & Corfu

Travel to Athens, Crete, and Corfu uncovering enchanting history and myths, captivating culture, and delicious flavors during active tours embodying the marvelous natural beauty of the landscape. The timeless charms of Greece emerge from ancient myths and ruins during your family-friendly tour. Spend your days under the Greek sun, in the hands of local experts and collect experiences that will strengthen your family bond through fun and laughter.

  • Learn about Greek mythology and history as you explore Athens’ famed Acropolis Hill and Ancient Agora.
  • Taste the excellence of Greek cuisine in Crete and visit Knossos, the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and Europe’s oldest city.
  • Explore the Ionian “hidden gems” on a cruise to Paxos and Antipaxos islands, and the Blue Caves from Corfu and wander the Streets of the Old Town, the UNESCO heritage site, the history of which goes back to the 8th century BC.

Itinerary Information

Duration

12 nights / 13 days

Destinations

Athens, Crete, Corfu

Keywords

mythology, nature, unique architecture

Three-Generation-Trip to Greece: the rich history of Athens and the cosmopolitan Islands of Crete & Corfu

Thomas contacted us with a challenging task. He asked us to design a trip that would make three generations of his favorite women happy: Victoria, his mother-in-law, a history buff and a gastronomy enthusiast; his wife, Monika, a connoisseur of upscale experiences and luxury accommodations; his teen daughter, Nicole, who loves cosmopolitan towns and watersports. After a lot of brainstorming, we put together an itinerary that was sure to please all three generations of the family. 

 

In Athens, the family enjoyed a private mythology and hidden gems tour of Athens, followed by a traditional dinner in a Greek contemporary haute-cuisine restaurant. In Crete, Victoria was a huge fan of a private tour of Knossos Palace and the Minoans, Europe’s first advanced civilization. Our travelers loved staying in a finely restored historic hotel that dates back to the early XVI century in Chania, a town with incredible history and ambiance. The last Greek destination in their itinerary was the lively and cosmopolitan Corfu. It impressed the family with its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a private luxury catamaran cruise to the world-known Blue Caves, the unspoiled island of Paxos, and the irresistible turquoise waters of Antipaxos! According to Nicole, riding a SUP for the first time in her life and doing it in the famous Blue Caves was totally worth flying to Greece!

Tour Highlights

Athens

  • Highlights & Hidden Gems of Athens & Traditional Greek Dinner
    View gallery
  • Family Mythology Tour (Acropolis Hill & Acropolis Museum)

Crete

  • Heraklion's Archaeological History Private Tour: Minoans, Europe's first advanced civilization
  • A Guided Walking Tour of the Chania Old Town
  • Day Trip to the World-Famous Elafonissi Beach
  • The Ultimate Food Tour Of Chania Villages

Corfu

  • Best of Corfu in one day
    View gallery
  • Luxury Private Cruise to Paxos, Antipaxos and the Blue Caves

Day to Day

Day to Day itinerary

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 – Highlights & Hidden Gems of Athens & Traditional Dinner
  • Day 2: Family Mythology Tour (Acropolis Hill & Acropolis Museum)
  • Day 3: Private Hotel Pick-Up & Transfer to the Airport – Flight to Crete – Private Drop-off at Heraklion hotel
  • Day 4: Heraklion’s Archaeological History Private Tour – Private transfer to Chania & Drop-off at Chania hotel
  • Day 5: Guided Private Walking Tour of the Chania Old Town
  • Day 6: Day Trip to the World-Famous Elafonissi Beach
  • Day 7: Ultimate Off-the-beaten-path Gastronomy Tour of Cretan villages
  • Day 8: Free day in Chania
  • Day 9: Private drop-off at Chania airport & flight to Corfu – Private Pick-Up at the airport of Corfu & Transfer to your hotel in Corfu
  • Day 10: Full-day Best of Corfu Private Tour
  • Day 11: Free day in Corfu
  • Day 12: Luxury Private Cruise to Paxos, Antipaxos and the Blue Caves
  • Day 13: Departure. Private Transfer to Corfu airport & flight to Athens / international outbound flight

DAY 1-2: ATHENS

Welcome to Greece!

Upon arriving in Athens, your private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation to settle in and have some relaxing time after your flight. In the afternoon, we invite you on a private guided tour of Athens Highlights and Hidden Gems, followed by a dinner at a traditional Greek tavern.

Day 2 is the time to be impressed by the stark contrast between the “old” and the “new” Athens while you marvel at magnificent ancient ruins. Today you will visit the Acropolis, the iconoclastic symbol of Athens. Follow the paths through the hillsides and walk through history as you visit the Parthenon, the Propylea, the temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion, with its porch of graceful maidens.

After your Acropolis visit, you and your private guide will make your way to the New Acropolis Museum, an exceptional museum that showcases the glory of Athens with historical, architectural, and cultural exhibits.

DAY 3 – 8: CRETE

After breakfast, meet your driver in the lobby of your hotel and get to the Athens airport. Your islands journey awaits! After a short domestic flight to Heraklion, your driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Heraklion region. Check-in and spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

In the morning of Day 4, you will meet your guide at the hotel and set off to explore the centre of the Minoan civilization, the oldest in Europe, when you visit the Palace of Knossos. Walk through the ruins that date back to around 1900 BC., and see a few reconstructions of the former palace to get an idea of how incredible it was back in the day. Learn about the history, legends and the myth of the Minotaur, King Minos’ son – a ferocious half man, half bull. The king built a massive labyrinth in the palace to contain his son. Let your imagination fly as you see the ruins and look at various rooms including the throne room. This was where royalty and other inhabitants lived and walked once upon a time. You can also see beautiful frescoes at Knossos.

Afterwards, go for a tour of Heraklion and the Archaeological museum. See the ancient city walls and the harbor dominated by a Venetian fortress. You can also explore the city on your own, visit local markets, or sit down for a drink at a waterside café.

In the afternoon of Day 4, let your private driver transfer you to Chania, a town with an unmatching ambiance and a history of 5 civilizations combined in one place. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

After breakfast, in the morning of Day 5, meet your private guide and explore the old town & the Venetian harbor of Chania. Discover the beauties of the city like a local, find out the history and legends behind the town and see its landmarks, learn about the cultures that contributed to local character.

Spend Day 6 at Elafonisi, one of the most breathtaking beaches on Crete Island. Its clear blue waters, pink sand, and its unique landscape attract thousands of visitors every year. It has been ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Let your private driver transfer you to the beach and enjoy the scenic views on your way. In the afternoon, have a stop at a traditional local restaurant and enjoy the mouth-watering Cretan delicacies.

Next morning, our representative will meet you at the lobby of your hotel and take you on a private off-the-beaten-path gastronomy tour around Cretan villages. Get ready for a delicious time, interact with the locals, and understand the Cretan way of life.

Enjoy the last day in Crete at your leisure, marvelling through the historical streets of the Old Town or enjoying the Greek sun and crystal-clear waters on one of multiple Chania beaches.

DAY 9 – 12: CORFU

A private transfer will take you from your hotel to the airport for your flight from Chania to the lovely island of Corfu. Enjoy the flight over the blue Aegean Sea, dotted with several smaller and bigger islands.

Once you have arrived, a driver will be waiting for you right outside the arrival hall of the airport to transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, you can enjoy some free time having a refreshing drink in one of the open-air cafés while watching how locals and visitors alike join on the traditional evening walk, the “volta”.

In the morning of Day 10, meet your guide and set off on a private tour adventure around Corfu. See the best of Corfu in one day! Discover top attractions such as Achillion and Paleokastritsa, delve into the island’s UNESCO–listed Old town.

Spend Day 11 enjoying leisure time with your family.

On Day 12 let us invite you on a private cruise to discover the “hidden gems” of  the Ionian coastline, to explore the island’s secrets, to observe magical locations, to have fun and enjoy of course a pleasant day accompanied by the sun and the sea! On this fascinating cruise, we will discover the world-famous Blue Caves, visit the tiny, unspoilt island of Paxos and swim in the irresistible turquoise waters of Antipaxos! During the cruise enjoy a variety of water sports equipment provided for you by the crew of your deluxe catamaran, and, of course, a freshly-cooked delicious lunch onboard.

DAY 13: GOODBYE, GREECE

The day has come to say goodbye to spectacular Greece. Enjoy one more delicious Greek breakfast at your hotel in Corfu this morning, then get ready to head to the airport. At the appropriate time, a driver will be waiting for you in the lobby of your hotel to assist you with your luggage and transfer you to the airport.

We wish you pleasant travels and hope you have had an unforgettable holiday in Greece.

Inclusions

  • Hand-picked accommodation at all destinations (breakfast included)
  • Hotels pick-up & drop-off transfers before and after the tours
  • Private Transfer to Athens hotel
  • Athens Highlights Tour and Welcome Dinner
  • Private Tour of Acropolis and Acropolis Museum with skip-the-line-tickets
  • Private Hotel Pick-up & Airport Drop-Off
  • Domestic flight tickets to Crete
  • Private hotel drop-off in Heraklion
  • Heraklion's Archaeological History Private Tour
  • Private transfer to Chania & Drop-off at Chania hotel
  • Guided Private Walking Tour of the Chania Old Town
  • Day Trip to the World-Famous Elafonissi Beach
  • Ultimate Off-the-beaten-path Gastronomy Tour of Cretan villages
  • Private drop-off at Chania airport & flight to Corfu
  • Private Pick-Up at the airport of Corfu & Transfer to your hotel in Corfu
  • Full-day Best of Corfu Private Tour
  • Luxury Private Cruise to Paxos, Antipaxos and the Blue Caves
  • Private Transfer to Corfu airport &domestic flight tickets to Athens (if applicable)

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

Travel to Athens, Crete, and Corfu uncovering enchanting history and myths, captivating culture, and delicious flavors during active tours embodying the marvelous natural beauty of the landscape. The timeless charms of Greece emerge from ancient myths and ruins during your family-friendly tour. Spend your days under the Greek sun, in the hands of local experts and collect experiences that will strengthen your family bond through fun and laughter.

  • Learn about Greek mythology and history as you explore Athens’ famed Acropolis Hill and Ancient Agora.
  • Taste the excellence of Greek cuisine in Crete and visit Knossos, the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and Europe’s oldest city.
  • Explore the Ionian “hidden gems” on a cruise to Paxos and Antipaxos islands, and the Blue Caves from Corfu and wander the Streets of the Old Town, the UNESCO heritage site, the history of which goes back to the 8th century BC.
Three-Generation-Trip to Greece: the rich history of Athens and the cosmopolitan Islands of Crete & Corfu

Three-Generation-Trip to Greece: the rich history of Athens and the cosmopolitan Islands of Crete & Corfu

Plan your trip