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Naxos & Santorini - Greek Island Hopping
Crete
Greece
Discover two of the most beautiful islands of the Cycladen group in one trip!
On Naxos you explore the highest mountain of the area: Zas. From its summit you enjoy breathtaking views of the sea of olives around you that is in sharp contrast with the deep blue Aegean Sea. Naxos is an island of contrasts: a lively town and beaches and a rural countryside where life is still very traditional.
Santorini is probably the most photogenic place of Greece. The steep cliffs with layers in all colors are the result of an explosion of the Thera volcano thousands of years ago. In de flooded caldera of Santorini there is still volcanic activity, as you can see during your visit to the Kammeni Islands. White washed villages on the cliffs, interesting ancient sites and excellent wines guarantee a perfect stay. And what is better then to discover this unique landscape on foot?
accommodations are in nice 3-start hotels and guest houses or you can upgrade to the "Deluxe" option with overnights in 4- and 5-start hotels.
Trip Highlights:
- Two beautiful islands in one trip
- Panoramic views of the cyclades from summit of mt. Zas (999 m)
- Kouros ancient statues on Naxos
- Unique cobbled paths
- Volcanic layers at the cliffs of Santorini
- Thira and Akrotiri ancient sites on Santorini
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Walking Tour
Meeting:
Athens airport
Airport:
Athens
Transfer:
Athens
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Rates and Dates for 2013
Rates include:
Accommodations (1 night in Athens, 3 nights in Naxos and 3 nights in Santorini), breakfast, all transfers starting in Athens, ferry tickets, 24 hr phone support, detailed route description and maps
| A | 2013 | 8 day Island Hopping- high season | 8d / 7n | €785 | $1020 |
| B | 2013 | 8 day Island Hopping- mid season | 8d / 7n | €685 | $890 |
| C | 2013 | 8 day Island Hopping- low season | 8d / 7n | €590 | $767 |
Transfer and Other Options:
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2013
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Single supplement
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2013
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Transfer from Athens airport on Day 1 is included
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2013
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Transfer from Athens to Athens airport on last day
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| C |
2013
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04/01
- 06/05
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8d / 7n
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8 day Island Hopping- low se...
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1
/12
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Reserve
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| B |
2013
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06/06
- 07/11
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8d / 7n
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8 day Island Hopping- mid se...
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1
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2013
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07/12
- 08/31
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8d / 7n
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8 day Island Hopping- high s...
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1
/12
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Reserve
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| B |
2013
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09/01
- 09/20
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8d / 7n
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8 day Island Hopping- mid se...
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1
/12
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Reserve
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| C |
2013
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09/21
- 11/25
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8d / 7n
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8 day Island Hopping- low se...
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1
/12
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Reserve
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Any start date from April to October
Rates do not include:
Lunches and dinners. Public transportation where used during itinerary, Travel Insurance, Admissions and Entry fees.
Day 1 Arrival in Athens and transfer to Naxos
Arrival at Athens Airport and transfer to the port of Piraeus from where you leave per ferry in the late afternoon to Naxos. The ferry takes 5,5 hrs and you arrive around midnight on Naxos. In case your flight does not allow traveling to Naxos on the same day, you have to book an extra night in Athens and you travel to Naxos the next day in the early morning.
Villages along the way: Naxos Town
Day 2 Walk from Chalki to Melanes
You take a taxi or public bus to Chalki, located in the center of the Tragea plain. Today you explore this fertile inner land of Naxos with olive groves and rich vegetation. There are some olive trees that are over thousand years old! You walk on cobbled paths via the Venetian Fortress Ano Kastro to an ancient marble quarry where you find a 10m height statue of an unfinished Kouros from the 6th century BC! The walk ends in the nearby village Melanes from where you take a taxi or public bus back to Naxos town.
Challenge:10 km, 150m climb, 150m descent, approx. 3,5 hours
Villages along the way: Chalki, Pano Potamia, Melanes, Kourounochori
Day 3 Walk to the summit of Mt.Zas
Todays walk starts from Filoti that you reach per taxi or public bus. From this village, built at the foothills of Mt. Zas, you start your walk to the summit of this legendary mountain. You may witness the cave in which according the legend, Zeus the father of all the gods, was nursed by an eagle. After your descend you optionally continue the walk to Apiranthos. From Apiranthos you may walk back via the saddle of Mt. Fanari to Filoti; a beautiful walk with breathtaking views!
Challenge: 13 km or 19 km, 500m or 900m climb, 500m or 900m descent, 4,5 or 7 hours
Villages along the way: Filoti, Apiranthos
Day 4 From Naxos to Santorini
You travel from Naxos to Santorini. The ferry usually departs around noon and arrives 3 hours later on Santorini. In the morning you may visit the Castle in Naxos town (Chora) and visit the museum here. Or you can relax on the tempting sandy beach of Agios Georgios. The approach of Santorini per ferry is really unforgettable. You enter the submersed crater of this old volcano and will be impressed by the steep coloured cliffs and the whitewashed villages on top. It is said that the eruption, 3.600 years ago, ended the Minoan Civilization. Or was it the source of the legend of Atlantis?
Villages along the way: Naxos Chora, Akrotiri
Day 5 Walk from Kamari to Akrotiri
A transfer will take you to Kamari from where you start climbing via an old path to a windy saddle. This part is one of the very few places that exists from before the devastating volcanic outburst. You walk up to Ancient Thira: the capital of the island in Ancient and Roman times. The location is really phantastic! Then you descend via an old path to the quiet inner parts of the island. You walk through vineyards (Santorini produces top class wines!) and along picturesque villages. Through this landscape of volcanic ashes and along the black beach you walk back to Akrotiri village.
Challenge: 16 km, 500m climb, 480m descent, 6 hours
Villages along the way: Kamari, Emporio, Vlychada, Akrotiri
Day 6 Walk from Fira to Oia
You travel per public bus to Fira, the capital of Santorini. Here you can explore the narrow alleys of this whitewashed town, built on the top of the volcanic cliffs. It houses a couple of interesting museums, such as the museum of prehistoric Thira and the Archaeological Museum. In the afternoon you make the renowned walk from Fira to Oia. This walk allows you fabulous views of the lagoon and the spectacular cliffs with its massive drops. Most of the walk is via a really nice wide mule-path. Sure you will make loads of photos during this walk along this scenic Santorini coastline. From Oia you have a transfer back to the hotel.
Challenge: 11 km, 270m climb, 350m descent, 3 hours
Villages along the way: Santorini, Imerovigli, Oia
Day 7 Travel from Santorini to Athens
A last free morning in Akrotiri at leisure before you will be transferred by the hotelier to Santorini port from where you travel comfortably per modern ferry to Piraeus. The journey last around 8 hours. Upon arrival you will have an organized transfer per taxi to your centrally located hotel in Athens - in a brand new city hotel with outdoor swimming pool very near the Acropolis and the lush green Philoppappou Hill. .
Villages along the way: Akrotiri, Athens
Day 8 Departure
Depending on your flight departure today, you may have time to pay a visit to the Acropolis and the fabulous Acropolis Museum before you travel per metro or bus to the airport for your flight departure.
Note:
Additional nights can be booked at all accommodations of this tour. This is possible because there is at least one ferry between these islands and Piraeus every day.
-- subject to changes --
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Meeting:
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Athens airport
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Airport:
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Athens
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Transfer:
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Athens
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Level:
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 Low Moderate
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Moderate to demanding walks, on marked paths. Ascending between 300m and 600m per day.
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Participants:
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Min
1
participants
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Max
12
participants
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Included:
7 nights accommodation on Bed and Breakfast basis (3 nights on Naxos, 3 on Santorini and 1 night in Athens)
-- there is an upgraded accommodation option available in 4 and 5 star hotels.
Transfer Athens-Piraeus
Roundtrip transfers on Naxos and Santorini
Transfer Akrotiri-Kamari and Oia-Akrotiri on Santorini
Transfer Piraeus-Athens
All necessary ferry tickets in tourist class
24-hour telephone assistance, just a phone call away
Detailed route description and maps in English
Not Included:
Flights
Public transportation
Travel insurance
Admissions and entrance fees of any kind
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers etc.
Any items that have not been specifically mentioned in the program
Optional Services:
Transfer from Athens to Athens Airport upon departure can be arranged - best to take a taxi.
Extra Overnight:
Extra nights are possible at all locations as the ferries are scheduled daily.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport required by all except: (a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. Passports must be valid for the following durations:(a) British and EU (excluding Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republi. more
Greece Climate and Weather
Greece enjoys mild winters and very hot, dry summers cooled by
seasonal breezes known as 'meltemia'. Snow can fall in the
mountainous regions in winter. Winter is the wettest season and
rain is unlikely between June and August.
Santorini Climate and Weather
Santorini is part of the Cyclades Island group, where the climate lends itself to hot, dry weather in summer and mild winters. Temperatures in July and August range from 86ºF (30ºC) during the day to 72ºF (22ºC) at night. Rainfall is almost non-existent in summer but showers can be expected between October and April.
A daypack (approx.20-35lt), trekking shoes, sport shoes, water proof jacket, water bottle, hat, sun cream, sun glasses, swimming suit, casual clothing.
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
..view other reports for different trips
7 nights accommodation on Bed and Breakfast basis (3 nights on Naxos, 3 nights on Santorini and 1 night in Athens). Items for lunch are available in the local shops; in the evening you have a wide choice of seaside taverns at all locations.
Regular Trip Option:
On Naxos you stay at the very good Naxos Resort on Ag. Georgos beach; on Santorini in a cozy family hotel with small pool in a quiet setting and in Athens and in Athens you stay in a brand new city hotel with outdoor swimming pool very near the Acropolis and the lush green Philoppappou Hill.
The Deluxe Option:
On Naxos you stay at Galaxy Hotel 4* in either standard Single room, or in Superior Double room with Sea View or in Triple Room with Sea View.
On Santorini you stay at the Avant Garde Hotel 5* in a Junior Suite
Upgrade possible in Santorini: Astarte Suites Hotel 5*+ hotel in junior Suite
In Athens you stay at the centrally located Herodion Hotel (4*)
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Tack:
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Horses:
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--
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Pace:
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Moderate to demanding walks, on marked paths. Ascending between 300m and 600m per day.
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Level:
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(2.5
to
3
out of 5) Moderate+
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Riders:
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Min
1
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Max
12
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Included:
7 nights accommodation on Bed and Breakfast basis (3 nights on Naxos, 3 on Santorini and 1 night in Athens)
-- there is an upgraded accommodation option available in 4 and 5 star hotels.
Transfer Athens-Piraeus
Roundtrip transfers on Naxos and Santorini
Transfer Akrotiri-Kamari and Oia-Akrotiri on Santorini
Transfer Piraeus-Athens
All necessary ferry tickets in tourist class
24-hour telephone assistance, just a phone call away
Detailed route description and maps in English
Not Included:
Flights
Public transportation
Travel insurance
Admissions and entrance fees of any kind
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses such as meals, drinks, phone calls, extra transfers etc.
Any items that have not been specifically mentioned in the program
Optional Services:
Transfer from Athens to Athens Airport upon departure can be arranged - best to take a taxi.
Extra Overnight:
Extra nights are possible at all locations as the ferries are scheduled daily.
Passports
Passport required by all except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Passports must be valid for the following durations:
(a) British and EU (excluding Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic and Slovenia) passports must be valid for length of intended stay.
(b) Australian, Canadian, USA and excluded EU passports must be valid for at least three months beyond length of stay.
Note: EU and EEA nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
Greece is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period;
(b) nationals of Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Romania and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Visa Note
(a) 2. EU nationals staying more than 90 days or for employment (including establishing a business, trade, profession or commercial activity) have to apply in person to the consulate general of Greece for a national visa; (b) Greece refuses admission and transit to holders of travel documents issued by the area of Cyprus not controlled by the Government of Cyprus, and holders of UN laissez-passers; (c) Some nationals may have to register with the Aliens Department of the nearest police station within 48 hours of arrival. Contact the nearest embassy/consulate to determine whether this is necessary prior to travel.
Types of Visa and Cost
National visa: £30.
Working Days Required
Three to 14, dependent upon nationality.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No/2 |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No/2 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
No |
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Naxos & Santorini - Greek Island Hopping
Tour Code:
ZZ-HKGRSC01
8 days /
7 nights
~$1,020.00
Dates: April to Oct
Trip Rating :
Level :
Difficulty Levels Explained
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1. |
Easy
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Easy pace and an average-to-sedentary level of fitness. You should be in good health and fit enough for full day of normal sightseeing and walking.
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2. |
Easy to Moderate
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An average level of fitness or some experience with the featured
activity is recommended.
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3. |
Moderate
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Requires you to have performed the featured activity regularly, with
some periods on challenging terrain. Activities are mandatory and
you may be traveling at high elevations. You need to be in good health and physical condition to enjoy these trips, with adequate muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance.
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4. |
Demanding
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You must be extremely physically fit and are expected to hike or
ride four to six hours over steep or more rugged terrain. |
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5. |
Strenuous
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Prolonged hiking/biking on moderate to difficult terrain (five to nine hours a day).
May include high altitude, rugged terrain etc.. |
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accomodation
Airport:
Athens
Activities:
Hiking, sightseeing
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Climate
What To Bring
Download tour PDF 
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